Nairobi – October 27, 2025
Kenya’s Ministry of Cooperatives and the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) have sounded the alarm over a growing scam targeting young people applying for the government’s NYOTA programme.
In a statement issued on Monday, MSEA said it had received reports of fake mobile money messages claiming that applicants had been awarded funds from the “NYOTA Project” or “NYOTA Foundation.” The messages, officials said, were part of a coordinated fraud scheme designed to trick recipients into sending money to unknown numbers.
“We have received reports of fraudulent mobile money messages claiming that youth have received funds from the NYOTA Project or NYOTA Foundation and prompting recipients to send money to unknown numbers,” MSEA said.
The authority emphasised that no mobile money payments have been made under the NYOTA initiative and warned the public not to fall for the fake notifications. “Please note: NYOTA has not sent any mobile money-related payments,” the statement added.
Fake Messages Circulating Online
The warning follows a surge of screenshots circulating on social media, showing fake mobile money transaction alerts claiming youth had received amounts of up to KSh100,000 from “the NYOTA Foundation.”
MSEA clarified that any official communication to successful applicants would come only from ‘NYOTA KE’ and through the project’s verified social media channels. “We urge the public to ignore, avoid sharing, and report any such messages or suspicious activity,” the authority said.
A Major Youth Empowerment Drive
The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme is a flagship five-year initiative backed by the World Bank and implemented by the Kenyan government. It aims to tackle youth unemployment, low income, and limited access to savings and financial inclusion.
According to the Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development, the programme will benefit at least 90,000 youth through technical and vocational training designed to equip them with job-ready skills.
President William Ruto has previously said the initiative will also recognise “prior learning” — awarding certificates to young people who have gained skills through informal work or apprenticeships.
In addition, youth pursuing entrepreneurship will be eligible for grants of KSh50,000 each, helping them launch or expand small-scale ventures.
Verification Underway
Last week, the Ministry urged applicants to attend a nationwide physical validation exercise held on October 24 to confirm their eligibility. The verification, covering all 290 constituencies, was aimed at ensuring transparency and fairness in the selection process.
While the NYOTA programme has generated excitement among young Kenyans, the rise of fraud attempts has exposed a darker side of the country’s digital ecosystem — where opportunists prey on trust and hope.
Authorities are now calling on all applicants to remain vigilant, verify information only through official government channels, and report any suspected fraud to the nearest police station or MSEA offices.