The low uptake of the government-backed Nyota Fund in Kagio has raised eyebrows. In a town with a high number of unemployed young people, the expectation was clear: strong interest and long queues of applicants. That did not happen.
Applications for the Nyota Fund opened targeting youth entrepreneurs and job seekers across the country. But in Kagio, participation remained strikingly low. The reason, according to developments on the ground, may trace back to events in July 2025 during the rollout of the Climate Worx youth employment program.
Last year, young people in Kagio applied for Climate Worx hopeful that it would provide short-term employment opportunities. Some were shortlisted and directed to attend interviews at the Kibingoti Chief’s Office. Demonstrating commitment, they showed up.
After the interviews, they were informed that they would be contacted regarding the next steps but months have passed.
There have been no job placements and no clear communication explaining the outcome of the process. That experience appears to have shaped perceptions when the Nyota Fund was introduced. For many young people, the thinking was simple: if previous applications led to interviews but no feedback or results, why repeat the process?
The issue may not necessarily be about eligibility requirements or lack of awareness. Instead, it points to confidence. Youth empowerment programs rely heavily on trust. Trust that applications will be processed transparently, communication will follow and then outcomes will be clear, whether successful or not. In Kagio, the Climate Worx episode seems to have created hesitation.
While the Nyota Fund is designed to promote entrepreneurship and create economic opportunities for young people, its rollout in Kagio highlights a broader challenge: past experiences influence future participation.
The situation now raises important questions:
- What happened to the shortlisted Climate Worx applicants who attended interviews in July 2025?
- Were final selections completed?
- Was official communication issued?
As government youth initiatives continue across the country, Kagio’s case underscores a critical lesson. Delivery and communication matter as much as announcements.
In the absence of closure from previous programs, many youths appear to have chosen caution over optimism. And that may explain why almost all youths in Kagio did not take up the Nyota Fund.