The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project has warned Kenyan youth against fraudulent applications, websites and mobile applications claiming to offer access to NYOTA funding. In a scam alert issued on Friday, September 11, NYOTA said it does not operate an application or website for approving beneficiaries or disbursing funds. The project said the official application channel remains the *Hustler Fund platform accessed through USSD code 254# and cautioned applicants against using links circulated online to enrol in the programme.
“The NYOTA Project does NOT use links to enrol beneficiaries into the project,” the project said in the alert.
The warning comes as interest in NYOTA opportunities continues among young Kenyans seeking support through the government programme, which targets vulnerable youth across all 47 counties. NYOTA’s official information states that participation in the project is free. NYOTA said it does not have an app or website through which beneficiaries receive funds. Instead, beneficiaries receive payments directly through the phone numbers they provided during their application for the respective NYOTA interventions. The clarification is intended to distinguish the official programme from websites and applications that may use the NYOTA name or branding to obtain personal information from applicants. The project has previously warned about fraudulent messages and offers linked to supposed NYOTA funding. In July 2026, fact-checkers also flagged circulating posts asking young people to pay processing fees to access NYOTA funds as scams.
NYOTA applicants should be cautious when approached by individuals or online platforms claiming to represent the programme. In particular, applicants should not assume that a website or mobile application is genuine simply because it uses the NYOTA name, logo or government-related language. NYOTA’s official guidance states that the programme is free. MSEA, one of the agencies involved in implementing NYOTA, has also warned that anyone asking for money while claiming to represent the project is acting fraudulently.
Applicants should therefore be particularly cautious of requests for: Registration or processing fees, Payment in exchange for guaranteed funding, Personal information through unofficial links, Downloading an unfamiliar NYOTA application, or Mobile-money payments to individuals claiming to facilitate approval. According to NYOTA, applicants should use *254# for the official application process rather than links shared through social media platforms, WhatsApp groups or other unofficial channels. The project has also advised beneficiaries to rely on its official communication channels when seeking clarification about applications, selection or payments.
The latest warning does not mean every online reference to NYOTA is fraudulent. The specific concern is with unofficial apps, websites and links claiming to enrol applicants or facilitate NYOTA payments. For young Kenyans seeking opportunities under the programme, verifying information before submitting personal details or sending money remains critical.