The Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) has announced the rollout of the NYOTA Business Mentorship Programme across all 47 counties, targeting beneficiaries of the NYOTA Business Support programme.
In a statement on Monday, August 10, MSEA said the mentorship phase will provide beneficiaries with practical guidance and support at their business premises.
"Starting today, NYOTA Business Support beneficiaries across all 47 counties will begin the next phase of Business Mentorship, implemented by the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA).
"Assigned mentors will contact beneficiaries directly to schedule two mentorship sessions at their business premises, providing practical guidance and support based on the needs of each business," the statement read.
According to MSEA, Cohort 1 beneficiaries will undertake Mentorship Sessions 3 and 4 as part of continued support aimed at strengthening their businesses and supporting growth.
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Cohort 2 beneficiaries, meanwhile, will undertake Mentorship Sessions 1 and 2 to help them apply the business skills acquired during training and strengthen their newly established enterprises.
MSEA said completion of the mentorship sessions is a requirement for beneficiaries to proceed to the next phase of the NYOTA Business Support intervention.
"Completion of mentorship sessions is mandatory and is required for beneficiaries to progress to the next phase of the NYOTA Business Support intervention," the statement added.
Beneficiaries have been advised to respond when contacted by their mentors, agree on a convenient date and time, and ensure they are available at their business premises for the scheduled sessions.
This comes over a week after the government warned members of the public against a fraudulent group claiming to recruit and register beneficiaries for the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation Project (KJET) and NYOTA Project.
In a notice on Wednesday, July 29, MSEA flagged a WhatsApp group circulating messages that demand payments from members of the public in exchange for registration and access to programme benefits.
A screenshot shared by MSEA shows a group dubbed 'NYOTA FORUM,' where an administrator claims to be selecting beneficiaries and instructs interested individuals to contact them privately.
The message further suggests that priority would be given to successful KJET applicants and NYOTA beneficiaries, raising fears that unsuspecting members of the public could be lured into paying money to fraudsters.
MSEA cautioned that the group is not affiliated with the authority or the government programmes it claims to represent.
"It has come to our attention that a forum/group is fraudulently charging youth and other members of the public a fee to 'join' or 'register' as beneficiaries of the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation Project-KJET and the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement. Don’t fall for it," the notice read in part.
MSEA warned that it will not be held liable for any financial losses incurred by individuals who choose to engage with fraudsters posing as programme officials.
