NYOTA Kenya Program 2026 Application Form *254#

To fill out the NYOTA Kenya Program 2026 application form, dial *254# especially if you’re 18-29 years old with a form 4 leaver or you have a lower education level, maybe you dropped out or never attended school. Whatever status you might possess, unemployed/underemployed, there is good news for you!

The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) program is now open for 90,000 eligible Kenyans to apply!

But what about persons living with disabilities? Yes, they too are allowed to apply and better still, their own age limit is 35 years old.

So, if you know anyone who is in this age bracket or if you are in this age bracket, then pay attention to this article because we would be sharing all you need to know about the program so that you can know if you’re eligible or not, how to apply and some frequently asked questions.

Page Contents

Overview of the NYOTA Kenya Program 2026

The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project is a five-year long project that started from 2023 and will continue to 2028.

The aim of this program is to fight unemployment that is faced by people who are form 4 leavers and below who can’t get employed because they don’t have a diploma or degree.

Their goal is that over the period of five years, 820,000 Kenyans would have benefited from the program and for this current 2026 window, they are looking for 90,000 eligible Kenyans to join the On-the-Job Experience (OJE) track.

What is this On-the-Job (OJE) Experience all about?

Simply put, it is for people who want to work but don’t have experience that employers usually want. So, they’ll put you in a real workplace (like a workshop, garage, or office) to gain practical skills.

What’s even better is that the government will pay you so you don’t have to work for free while you learn.

Have NYOTA Kenya Program 2026 Application Started?

Yes. The program had officially re-opened its application window for the On-the-Job Experience (OJE) batch on January 29, 2026. If you had applied in previous cycles, you do not need to reapply.

Related News:

Eligibility Criteria for NYOTA Kenya Program 2026

In order for you to be eligible, you must meet or have the following things:

You must be a Kenyan citizen with a valid National ID.
The age limit is 18-29 years for every other person while the age limit for those living with disabilities is 35 years.
In order to qualify for the extended age limit (35 years), a person with a disability must be officially registered with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).
Applicants must have a Form 4 (KCSE) certificate or below.
People with university or college degrees are not eligible to apply.
Must be currently unemployed, underemployed, or working in low-income/vulnerable jobs.
You must not have outstanding loans on your head especially with the Hustler Fund. What this means is that you can have a loan but if the time to pay it back has passed and you don’t pay, you’ll be seen as a defaulter and your National ID would be red-flagged so your NYOTA application would be automatically rejected!
You must have a SIM card that is registered in your name and linked to your National ID.

How to Apply for the NYOTA Kenya Program 2026

The application process is done on a mobile phone using USSD platform:

Dial *254# on your mobile phone.
Choose the NYOTA Project option from the menu that pops up.
Select Option 3 or the specific “On-the-Job Experience” (OJE) track.
Follow the pop-up instructions to provide your ID number, personal information, and current location.
Once you’re done, you will receive an SMS confirmation from NYOTA.

NYOTA Kenya Program 2026 Application Deadline

The closing date for the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Kenya is February 13, 2026. Inability to submit application either online or by dialing *254# will automatically result to disqualification.

Conclusion

The NYOTA Kenya program is a great chance for young Kenyans who can’t get a job due to their lacking educational qualifications to gain skills from the same jobs that requires degree or diploma to apply. All eligible youth are encouraged to apply before the 13th February 2026 which is the deadline to avoid being locked out.

For further assistance, you can visit the official NYOTA website www.nyotaproject.go.ke or go to your nearest MSEA County Office.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the NYOTA Kenya program 2026 ongoing?

Yes. Applications started from January 29, 2026 and would end on February 13, 2026.

Is NYOTA Kenya Program 2026 Application Free?

Yes. The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) application is totally free.

How can I Apply for the NYOTA Program?

Dial *254# on your mobile phone but make sure that the SIM card details belong to you.

How long will the program last?

You’ll be placed with a master craftsman or an employer for at least five months of practical training.

What kind of training will I receive?

It depends on the one you sign up for. During the orientation, they would match you with the one you want. It could be industries like film, fashion, culinary arts or technical trades like welding, mechanics, construction, tailoring.

Do they issue certificates?

When you finish your 5 months training and assessment, you’ll receive a certificate from the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).

Do they pay monthly NYOTA project stipends?

Yes. You’ll get at least KES 6,000 per month during the training period.

Will Pregnant Mothers receive any benefit?

Yes. As long as you have been consistently putting a little money into your NSSF Haba Haba savings, you can receive an extra KES 4,000 every month for 4 months to support you and your baby.

What is NSSF Haba Haba?

It is a simple mobile savings plan by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) that was designed for people who don’t have formal office jobs. The name comes from the Swahili saying “Haba na haba hujaza kibaba” (Little by little fills the pot).

For your first 6 months in the program, the NYOTA project will deposit KES 1,000 every month into your account. You can check your balance or add your own savings (as little as KES 25) anytime by dialing *303#.

Can a Graduate Apply?

No. Degree or diploma holders are not eligible to apply. It is only for those who are form 4 leavers or lower education status like those who dropped out of school or have never gone to school.