KISII, Kenya – Nominated Senator Essy Okenyuri has thrown her weight behind the NYOTA (National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement) Project, describing it as a significant Government investment in Kenya’s youth.
The NYOTA Project is a five-year Kenyan Government and World Bank-backed initiative designed to empower vulnerable and unemployed youth. It targets 820,000 individuals aged 18–29 (up to 35 for Persons with Disabilities) with Form 4 education or below to promote entrepreneurship, employment, and savings.
Senator Okenyuri made the remarks on Friday, July 10, 2027, when she attended the NYOTA Programme Second Tranche Business Support Fund Disbursement at Kisii National Polytechnic, bringing together beneficiaries from Kisii, Nyamira and Migori counties.
“The NYOTA Programme is a significant Government investment in Kenya’s youth, providing business support funds that empower young entrepreneurs to start, grow and sustain their businesses,” said the senator.
Senator Essy Okenyuri’s message to the youth
She observed that by expanding access to opportunities, the initiative promotes innovation, job creation and inclusive economic growth while strengthening the role of young people in shaping the country’s economic future.
The youthful senator used the occasion to encourage the beneficiaries and young people in general to always be aggressive and take advantage of every available opportunity to identify, start and improve their businesses for self-reliance and sustainable development.
“The person standing in front of you is Senator Essy Okenyuri Nyaituga Anyeni, and I was born and bred here in the Kisii region. So, when you see me here, I am someone who loves the young people of this country, and also, personally, I am a youth. Even if you look at my dressing today, it is for the youth, and as you can see, I have stood out,” said Senator Okenyuri amid applause from the crowd.
She stated that most of the young people watch her participation in parliament while defending Kenyans, including the youth, small businessmen and women.
“I am also doing my project of donating books to our schools so that I can boost the quality of education in this country. But I am here today to motivate and encourage you: the funds you will receive, kindly invest them in a manner that will help you,” she added.
How was Senator Okenyuri nominated to Parliament
The senator, nominated by the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, encouraged the young people to work hard in life.
“I also worked hard in 2022 and helped President William Ruto to win the presidency, and he rewarded me with a job, for which I am now serving as a nominated senator. So, I want to encourage you that if you work hard in whatever you are doing, you never know about tomorrow; you may be the president,” explained the senator.
For those doing business, the senator appealed to them to back up their businesses.
“Kindly don’t use this money to party because our future is now,” she said.
Other leaders who attended the Kisii NYOTA event
Senator Okenyuri further revealed that since she always finds pleasure in supporting Small and Medium-sized enterprises, she has sponsored a Street Vendors Bill in the Senate that will seek to compel the Government to protect Hawkers, Mama Mbogas, Shoe Shiners, Mobile Street Photographers, Street Food vendors, Mitumba Sellers and other small businesses from harassment by Government officials.
“This will help them improve their working conditions as a way of empowering our people for self-reliance, sustainability and economic development,” added the senator.
The event was graced by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba alongside Cabinet Secretary for Energy Opiyo Wandayi and attended by Kisii Deputy Governor Elijah Obebo.
Others were Solicitor General Shadrack Mose, Irene Mayaka (Nominated), Joash Nyamoko (North Mugirango), Steve Mogaka (West Mugirango) and other national and county leaders.
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