World Bank Kenya has dismissed a widely circulated statement claiming the institution had responded to Rigathi Gachagua’s remarks about its partnership with the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme.
In a statement on February 11, the institution said the document, which included identity features such as a logo and letterhead, was fake.
The institution stated that it had not released any statement responding to political remarks or addressing the NYOTA programme.
World Bank Clarifies Alleged NYOTA Partnership
The forged document, styled as a press release dated February 10, claimed the World Bank was reaffirming its support for NYOTA.
It referenced comments made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and alleged the bank was responding to concerns raised about the programme.
The text described NYOTA as a flagship government initiative, financed through World Bank support, aimed at improving the livelihoods of vulnerable youth.
It also compared the programme to previous youth projects that had received World Bank funding.
“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,” read the statement by World Bank Kenya.
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The institution warned that the release was fake and urged the public to rely solely on its official channels for accurate information.
Gachagua’s Report on NYOTA
In a press briefing on February 10, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua criticised the way the NYOTA programme was being promoted, arguing that the initiative was being turned into political campaign material.
He added that the programme operates in several African countries and is not used for political rallies or re‑election tours elsewhere.
“The NYOTA program is a World Bank program happening in all African countries like Angola, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Benin, Togo. Yet we have not seen their presidents turn this into re‑election campaign rallies across their countries,” Gachagua stated.
Gachagua argued that NYOTA was meant to support young people, not to build political capital, and warned that using it as a campaign tool would undermine public trust in the initiative.
The DCP Party Leader urged leaders to focus on the purpose of the programme, saying youth empowerment must be separated from election messaging.
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In his press briefing, Gachagua also addressed the plight of people in Northern Kenya, saying residents were struggling with hunger and water shortages, and called on the government to prioritise urgent needs instead of political events tied to the programme.
NYOTA Responds to Viral Statement
The NYOTA Kenya programme has also issued a public alert after the forged release began circulating online.
In a statement shared on February 11, the NYOTA warned that the document was fake and should be ignored.
The clarification stated that the World Bank had not issued any communication or statement regarding the remarks linked to the NYOTA programme.
“This document is fake and should be disregarded. The World Bank has not issued any official communication or statement in relation to this matter,” read the statement by NYOTA.
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