The World Bank met with officials from Kenya's National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project to review its progress and address challenges, particularly concerns over delayed Ksh25,000 payments to beneficiaries.

• The project aims to disburse Ksh25,000 grants to over 122,000 youth.
• Key players included the World Bank, the NYOTA Fund manager Augustine Mayabi, and the Co-operatives Ministry, represented by Principal Secretary Susan Mang'eni.
• Delays in the second tranche of payments were attributed by the government to budgetary constraints, with a promise of disbursement by June 30, 2026.

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) insists that enhanced National Social Security Fund (NSSF) deductions remain valid despite ongoing legal uncertainties surrounding the NSSF Act, 2013.

• COTU, through its Secretary General Francis Atwoli, is defending the current contribution rates, citing a Court of Appeal ruling from February 3, 2023.
• The union warns some private sector employers and pension schemes against undermining the deductions, suggesting commercial interests are behind the resistance.
• COTU urges compliance from both workers and employers, highlighting risks to workers' retirement savings if contributions are not maintained at the current enhanced levels.