Government Postpones NYOTA Verification Nationwide in Honour of Raila Odinga

The government has postponed the verification of NYOTA applications set for Friday, October 17, 2025, in all 290 constituencies.

The move follows the sudden death of Kenya’s former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, who passed away on Wednesday, October 15.

In a statement, Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni of the State Department for the Development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) stated that the postponement is in observance of the Presidential Proclamation of national mourning, which will be observed until sunset on the day of the burial of Raila Odinga.

“The State Department for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development wishes to inform the public, all Principal Secretaries, elected leaders, all applicants of the NYOTA project and other stakeholders that the national verification exercise scheduled for Friday, October 17, across the 290 constituencies, has been postponed,” the PS stated.

The postponed NYOTA verification exercise was initially set to bring together Principal Secretaries, elected leaders, and National Government Administration Officers under the Whole-of-Government Approach to guarantee transparency and inclusivity in the process.

Following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development is expected to announce new verification dates after the national mourning period and Raila’s burial.

The postponement is also in line with a directive issued by President William Ruto, who declared a period of seven days of mourning in honor of the late opposition leader.

“In honour of the life and times of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and on behalf of the grateful nation, I, William Ruto, under the authority vested in me as the President of the Republic of Kenya, declare that the nation will observe a period of national mourning from today until sunset of the day of his interment,” President Ruto stated.

The President also announced the suspension of all public events in order to give the nation time to reflect on Odinga’s legacy and service.

Ruto also announced that a high-level delegation led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi would travel to India to arrange the repatriation of Raila Odinga’s body.

The delegation includes Raila’s wife, Mama Ida Odinga, Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen and Hassan Joho, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, and family members Jaoko Oburu Odinga and Kevin Opiyo Oginga.

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