Government postpones Nyota verification exercise following Raila Odinga’s death
The PS added that the exercise, which was expected to draw the participation of Principal Secretaries, elected leaders, and National Government Administration Officers under the Whole-of-Government Approach, will resume on dates to be announced later.
The government has postponed the national verification exercise for the Nyota project that was scheduled to take place on Friday, October 17, 2025, following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
In a statement on Wednesday, MSME Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni said the decision to postpone the exercise follows the untimely passing of the former Prime Minister and a Presidential Proclamation by President William Ruto declaring a national mourning period.
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“The State Department for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development wishes to inform the public, all Principal Secretaries, elected leaders, all applicants of the Nyota project and other stakeholders, that the national verification exercise scheduled for Friday, 17th October 2025, across the 290 constituencies, has been postponed,” the statement read in part.
The PS added that the exercise, which was expected to draw the participation of Principal Secretaries, elected leaders, and National Government Administration Officers under the Whole-of-Government Approach, will resume on dates to be announced later.
“We join the Nation in mourning the loss of a great statesman and patriot who dedicated his life to the service, peace, unity, and progress of our beloved country,” she added.
Odinga had been receiving medical treatment abroad and suffered a cardiac arrest on Wednesday, according to the hospital in Kochi, India, where he passed away. He died at the age of 80.
He was for decades at the heart of Kenyan politics, striking alliances with former foes, serving a full term as Prime Minister, and inspiring lifelong loyalty from his base, particularly among fellow Luos in western Kenya and in the capital Nairobi.
The Nyota project, formally known as the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement programme, is a Sh5 billion joint initiative between the Government of Kenya and the World Bank. It aims to empower young people to start and grow their enterprises across all 1,450 wards in the country.
Each successful applicant is set to receive a Sh50,000 grant to kick-start their entrepreneurial ventures, targeting about 100,000 beneficiaries nationwide, with 70 drawn from every ward.
The programme is also expected to train 90,000 youth to gain job experience, certify 20,000 under recognition of prior learning, and equip another 600,000 with skills on Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO).
President Ruto earlier said the initiative is part of a broader agenda to create meaningful opportunities for the youth alongside other flagship projects such as affordable housing, digital jobs, and labour mobility.
“Nyota will empower the next generation of innovation drivers and expand enterprise,” the President said during the project’s rollout.
PS Mang’eni emphasised that the initiative is gender-inclusive, focusing on equitable participation and empowerment of both young men and women.
“We target to benefit young people in all wards. It is gender-inclusive, with emphasis on 50-50 gender parity,” she said, adding that the project will improve youth employability, support savings culture, and enhance access to markets.
Meanwhile, President Ruto has also suspended all public engagements to allow the nation to reflect on Odinga’s life and legacy.
His planned three-day visit to Ukambani, which was to begin in Kitui County on Wednesday, was also disrupted following Odinga’s death.
According to an earlier itinerary released by State House, the President was expected to land at Kwa Siku in Mwingi West to commission the Kwa Siku–Migwani–Mbondoni road, then proceed to Kitui East for the launch of the Zombe–Mwitika road, before wrapping up in Machakos County for another road project.
The new schedule for both the President’s tour and the Nyota verification exercise will be announced later.
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