By Michelle Ndaga.
The government has unveiled a new consolidated guide — the Passport to Government Youth Opportunities — aimed at helping young Kenyans access employment, training, and entrepreneurship programmes more easily.
The initiative, published by the National Youth Council (NYC) and now circulating widely on social media, compiles key government-led youth empowerment programmes into one accessible document. It brings together opportunities from multiple ministries and agencies, eliminating the need for young people to search across scattered platforms.
Among the featured programmes are:
NYOTA Project (National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement) — offering apprenticeships, entrepreneurship training, and savings schemes.
Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) — reserving 30% of public tenders for youth, women, and persons with disabilities. Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) — providing financing and business development support for youth-led enterprises.
Ajira Digital Program — training young people in digital skills and connecting them to online jobs.
National Employment Authority (NEA) — facilitating job matching, career guidance, internships, and overseas placements.
Other agencies represented include the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KENIA), the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), the Kenya Film Commission (KFC), and the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).
According to the NYC, the “passport” will soon be integrated into a digital platform, allowing young people to register, check eligibility, and apply for multiple programmes in one place. The move follows the launch of the NYOTA initiative earlier this year, which aims to unlock at least 200,000 job and training opportunities for Kenyan youth. Officials say the project is part of President William Ruto’s broader youth empowerment agenda, intended to reduce unemployment, promote innovation, and ensure young people can benefit from public resources.
The Passport to Government Youth Opportunities PDF is available for download via the National Youth Council’s website.
