Kenyans have been urged to stay vigilant after fraudsters began circulating misleading claims about the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, falsely alleging that applicants must pay a Ksh200 fee to access funding. The government-backed initiative has firmly dismissed the reports, warning that the viral information is part of a coordinated scam targeting unsuspecting youth eager to benefit from the empowerment project.
In a clarification issued on Sunday, the NYOTA Project distanced itself from claims that there is a paybill number through which applicants can increase their chances of receiving the World Bank-supported funds.
The alleged Ksh200 fee originated from a fake poster claiming that Kenyans can access Ksh36,000 through the programme. The poster, which began circulating widely on social media on March 29, falsely suggested that payment was required to qualify.
“This is fake and should be disregarded. The NYOTA Project does not have a till number. All services are free and accessible through USSD code *254#,” the programme stated.
The misleading poster was designed to appear credible, featuring the Daily Nation newspaper logo and an image of William Ruto alongside bold claims that the President had announced financial support for citizens.
The NYOTA Project is a government initiative aimed at empowering young people in Kenya through business startup capital, skills training, and employment opportunities. Funds are distributed in phases to ensure accountability and effective implementation.
Launched by President Ruto in September last year, the programme targets unemployed youth aged 18 to 29, with the upper age limit extended to 35 for persons living with disabilities. It primarily focuses on individuals with a Form Four level of education or below, offering six-month on-the-job training as well as startup support for small enterprises.
Due to its phased rollout, the initiative has increasingly become a target for scammers seeking to exploit public interest by promoting fake incentives and payment requirements.
In a separate advisory, the NYOTA Project also clarified that it does not operate any mobile application and does not offer loans, reiterating that all its services are entirely free.
“Kindly note that the NYOTA Project does NOT have any app and does NOT offer loans. All services under the NYOTA Project are completely free of charge,” the statement added.
President Ruto presided over the nationwide rollout of the programme in November 2025. The initial phase covered counties in Western and Mount Kenya regions, including Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, and Bungoma, before expanding to Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Nairobi, and Kiambu by early January 2026.
The programme has since extended to Nyanza and Rift Valley regions, with Kisumu hosting a major disbursement for youth from Siaya, Kisumu, and Homa Bay. In Northern Kenya, funds have been distributed in Garissa and Mandera, with Wajir expected to be covered in the final phase of the rollout.