World Bank has clarified and dismissed a viral fake press release claiming it reaffirmed support for Kenya's NYOTA (National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement) youth program amid recent controversies.
A fabricated document (dated on February 10, 2026) circulated online, styled as an official World Bank statement.
It purported to respond to concerns—likely linked to criticisms from figures like former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua—by reaffirming the Bank's partnership with the Kenyan government on NYOTA, describing it as a flagship initiative for youth employment, grants, and skills development.
The fake release included World Bank branding and urged caution against misinformation.
On February 11, 2026, the World Bank Kenya officially stated on X (formerly Twitter):
“The World Bank Kenya wishes to clarify that the News release currently circulating regarding an alleged response to concerns about the @NYOTA_Kenya program is fake. No statement of that nature has been issued by the World Bank Kenya.”
They urged the public to rely only on official channels for accurate information. The official NYOTA Kenya account echoed this, labeling the document fake and advising it be disregarded.
Background on NYOTA
NYOTA is a legitimate five-year Kenyan government initiative, financed by the World Bank (approximately $200–229 million in funding).
It targets vulnerable youth (especially those aged 18–35, including women, persons with disabilities, and refugees) to boost employability through:
1. Skills training and certification (including Recognition of Prior Learning).
2. Apprenticeships, internships, and on-the-job experience.
3. Support for starting or expanding businesses (e.g., up to KSh 50,000 grants in some components).
4. Job matching, entrepreneurship promotion, and encouraging savings (linked to programs like NSSF's informal sector products).
It builds on earlier World Bank-supported efforts like the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP) and aims to reach hundreds of thousands of young Kenyans amid high youth unemployment.
The program has faced scrutiny, including:
Political criticisms with claims that it's being used as a tool for patronage or lacks transparency.
Separate scams, such as fake M-PESA messages or apps promising NYOTA funds (which official sources have repeatedly warned against—no payments have been disbursed via unofficial channels).
This recent fake World Bank statement appears tied to ongoing debates around the program's rollout and political context, but the Bank has not issued any such rebuttal or reaffirmation as claimed in the forgery.
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