Youths Protest Over Delayed and Reduced NYOTA Payments in Kisii
Tension and unrest were witnessed in Kisii County on Tuesday night after a large group of youths took to protest over delayed payments and reduced stipends under a government-sponsored program.
The affected youths are part of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project, a key initiative linked to the administration of William Ruto.
The protests involved hundreds of young people who have been undergoing training in Nyaribari Chache constituency.
According to reports, the situation escalated after disagreements between the trainees and program officials forced the youths to spend the night at a nearby primary school, highlighting the level of frustration among participants.
At the center of the protests was the issue of payment. The youths claimed that they were promised a daily stipend of Ksh1,000 during the training period.
However, instead of receiving the expected amount, they were allegedly given only Ksh300, sparking anger and confusion. Many participants questioned how such a significant reduction could occur without prior communication or explanation.
The demonstrations reportedly began at around 8 p.m. and continued until close to midnight. During this time, the youths demanded clear answers from the program coordinators, accusing them of failing to communicate effectively since the beginning of the training.
Some participants expressed concerns that the lack of transparency had been ongoing and not just limited to the payment issue.
One of the protesting youths explained that communication has been a major challenge throughout the program. He noted that participants were never given clear timelines on when payments would be made.
Whenever they sought clarification, they were allegedly told that there were technical issues affecting the payment system. This uncertainty, combined with the reduced stipend, further fueled their dissatisfaction.
The same participant questioned the fairness of receiving Ksh300 after attending several days of training, stating that the amount did not match the effort and time they had invested. Many others shared similar sentiments, arguing that the situation undermined the purpose of the program, which is meant to support and empower young people.
Despite the challenges, the protesting youths made it clear that they would not back down easily. While gathered at the primary school, they vowed to continue pushing for their rightful payments and demanded that the government address their concerns promptly. Their determination reflects growing frustration among young people who rely on such programs for financial support and opportunities.
The NYOTA program is a five-year initiative funded by the World Bank, designed to empower more than 101,000 vulnerable and unemployed youths between the ages of 18 and 29 across all 47 counties in Kenya.
The project aims to provide skills training, financial support, and opportunities that can help young people improve their livelihoods.
Many of the participants joined the program with the expectation that they would eventually receive up to Ksh50,000 after completing the required training and activities.
This promise has been a major motivation for many youths who are struggling with unemployment and economic challenges.
The latest protests come shortly after the government announced the launch of the second phase of the NYOTA program.
This announcement followed the completion of the first phase earlier this year in February. However, even as the government moves forward with expansion plans, concerns are emerging from different parts of the country regarding delays in payments from the initial phase.
Some participants across various counties have raised similar complaints, pointing to slow disbursement of funds under the Ksh28 billion initiative.
These ongoing concerns are now raising questions about the management and implementation of the program, especially as more youths continue to enroll with high expectations.
As the situation unfolds, attention is now shifting to how the government will respond to these grievances. For many young Kenyans, timely payments and transparency are not just expectations but essential components of trust in such national programs.
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