More than 1900 youth Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operators in Uasin Gishu County have benefited from the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Business Development Services (BDS) training phases I and II, aimed at enhancing management skills, market access, financial literacy, and operational efficiency to drive growth and sustainability.
Key programs, often offered through specialized training centers, cover strategic planning, digital marketing, and financial risk management, providing actionable tools to scale operations and access funding.
Speaking in an interview with KNA at his office, the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) Northrift Regional Coordinator, CPA Alton Kogo revealed that they have concluded the BDS II training across the 8 training centres spread across the six sub counties of Soy, Moiben, Ainabkoi,Turbo, Kapseret and Kesses.
The exercise which was conducted from 20th to 25th April saw over 1900 youth NYOTA beneficiaries trained various areas including entrepreneurial mindset, business model canvas, scanning environment for business opportunities, digital tools, marketing and branding, formalization and compliance for enhanced financial access.
Kogo noted that the beneficiaries engaged in diverse businesses like salon, beauty and therapy, Baber shops, poultry farming, retail shops and others. He further called on the youth to be consistent in their business ideas and take full advantage of the skills earned through the training to ensure sustainability of their businesses.
He affirmed the MSEA’s support to the SMEs, by strengthening linkages for MSMEs in Kenya by connecting them to markets, financial services, technology, and government opportunities to boost productivity and growth.
Noting that the authority operates as a facilitator within the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), organizing MSEs into value chains to unlock market potential, the Coordinator indicated that they have already supported some of the NYOTA beneficiaries who opted for welding by sub-contracting and integrating them into larger supply chains, including the Affordable Housing Project (AHP) for supplying materials like window frames and furniture.
“They came together as business groups and we have linked them to supply windows, steel doors to our affordable housing projects in Kidiwa, railway city and pioneer. This will go a long way to boost their income and transform livelihoods,” he said.
At the same time, the authority works with national and county governments to harmonize policies to ensure the new businesses owned by NYOTA have a conducive environment to thrive.
“We do formalization and provide verification for NYOTA youth owned businesses in order to benefit from the license waiver by counties. We also enable them to access government procurement opportunities and financial services like hustler fund, Inua Biashara fund, youth enterprise development funds and others,” added CPA Kogo.
He praised the implementation of the Business Development Support grant in Uasin Gishu, noting that over 60 percent of the youth after the BDS I training which was done before funds disbursement, confirmed opening common businesses like poultry farming, small scale farming like vegetable farming, shops among others.
“In order to boost their business capacities, we have introduced them to other government agencies like Kenya Industrial Estate (KIE), Women Enterprise Fund, Hustler Fund and others in order to get additional financial help for equipment and other needs,” he said.
John Kiptoo Kimurgor, a PWD beneficiary from annex area in Kesses thanked the government form coming with NYOTA project.
He said after the first training focused on bridging skills gaps, enhance management capabilities, and provide market access to foster, start up and expand businesses, he decided to start a bakery business.
“When I received the first amount of Sh 22000 from NYOTA I used it purchase stock and equipment for my bakery. Although the amount was not enough to sustain the business, I have applied for more financial support from other government agency that is KIE to boost my business and support my family,” explained Kimurgor.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
