NAIROBI, Kenya – The government, through Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, has called on Kenyan youth to remain proactive, focused, and peaceful, urging them to reject any form of incitement to violence by political or self-serving actors.
Speaking on Thursday, May 22, 2025, while officiating the opening of the 8th KIPPRA Annual Regional Conference at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi, CS Mvurya emphasised that the youth’s energy and creativity are urgently needed, not in unrest, but in innovation, enterprise, and nation-building.
“The future of this country lies in the hands of the youth. I urge you to resist being used as tools for violence or political disruption. Instead, connect with the vast opportunities available and become ambassadors of peace, innovation, and progress. Kenya needs your leadership not in chaos but in creativity and constructive engagement,” said the CS.
What is the mandate of the NYOTA program
CS Mvurya affirmed that the government has intensified its efforts and recorded notable achievements in implementing youth-centred interventions. These initiatives are designed not only to support young people but also to empower them as key drivers of economic transformation.
“In line with President William Ruto’s vision of empowerment and inclusion under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), various ministries have embedded programs that address critical gaps in skills, employment, access to capital, and youth inclusion. As a ministry, we are championing the fast-tracking of these programs to ensure the youth benefit meaningfully,” he explained.
One of the flagship initiatives highlighted was the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) program. Implemented in partnership with the World Bank, NYOTA targets over 800,000 vulnerable youth across all 47 counties.
It provides comprehensive support, including entrepreneurship training, access to credit, mentorship, and pathways into sustainable employment, anchoring long-term resilience, innovation, and economic empowerment.
How gov’t is empowering the Kenyan youth
In addition, CS Mvurya outlined that the Youth Enterprise Development Fund had disbursed over Sh1.24 billion in loans to more than 95,000 youth entrepreneurs, enabling many to launch or grow businesses at the grassroots level and participate in the Labour Mobility Programme.
Turning to the creative economy, the Cabinet Secretary underscored the ongoing revamp and operationalisation of Studio Mashinani projects across the country. The hubs are providing critical platforms for young creatives in film, music, and the arts to develop their talent and monetise their passion.
He further acknowledged the ministry’s progress in developing and reviewing key legislative frameworks such as the Youth Policy, Creative Economy Bill, and the Sports Bill, measures that are expected to formalise and strengthen youth-focused programming across sectors.
“The review and operationalisation of these policies will provide the ministry with the necessary tools to safeguard the space for youth participation and empowerment. It is through these frameworks that we can unlock the full potential of young people, turning their talents and passions into economic assets that uplift their lives, their communities, and our country at large,” CS Mvurya concluded.
