NYOTA Project kicks off Phase Two with business training

EUGINE OTIENO-MYGOV

The second phase of the NYOTA Project began early in the week with mandatory business skills training for beneficiaries.

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni said the classroom-based training will be conducted at the constituency level and will focus on strengthening enterprise management skills among participants.

This follows the successful conclusion of the project’s first mentorship programme, which was implemented across all 1,450 wards nationwide.

More than 5,500 mentors were engaged during the exercise, providing support through site visits, guided business discussions, experience sharing, and peer-to-peer mentorship.

According to the Principal Secretary, 97 per cent of beneficiaries who received the first tranche of start-up capital participated in the mentorship programme, reflecting strong commitment among participants.

She added that 99 per cent of those engaged have already started businesses, while the remainder are in the process of setting up their ventures.

Findings from the mentorship exercise show that 84 per cent of beneficiaries are first-time entrepreneurs with less than one year of business experience, highlighting the need for continued business development support.

“The training will address skill gaps identified during mentorship and enhance beneficiaries’ ability to grow their businesses,” read part of the statement.

PS noted that beneficiaries will be invited to attend the training through official communication channels, adding that only those who participated in the initial mentorship programme will be eligible.

She emphasised that full attendance and participation in the training will be mandatory for beneficiaries to qualify for the second tranche of start-up capital amounting to Sh25,000.

She stated that the programme continues to demonstrate positive impact, with a majority of beneficiaries already running businesses and gaining practical skills through mentorship and training.