The NYOTA Project, a World Bank–funded youth empowerment programme meant to support skills development and entrepreneurship, is now at the centre of growing concern after trainers in Nairobi reported prolonged payment delays despite completing their work.
What was designed as a flagship government initiative is instead raising questions about accountability, fairness, and how funds are managed under donor-supported programmes.
The programme is implemented through the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and relies on contracted trainers to deliver business development skills across different counties.
These trainers were engaged through third-party implementing firms and were expected to receive payment shortly after completing their assignments and submitting the required documentation.
In Nairobi County, trainers say they followed every instruction given to them and met all contractual obligations.
According to several trainers involved, the work was completed on time, and all necessary paperwork was submitted, including attendance registers, evaluation forms, and final reports.
Some say they were even informed that funds for the training had already been released. Despite these assurances, weeks passed without any payment, leaving trainers confused and frustrated.
No official explanation has been provided to justify the delay.
What has intensified anger among the affected trainers is the fact that colleagues in other regions working under the same NYOTA Project have already been paid in full.
This has made it difficult to accept claims that the delay is due to donor-related issues or system-wide challenges. Trainers argue that if money was available for payments elsewhere, there should be no reason Nairobi was excluded.
The contracts reviewed show that the implementing partner for the Nairobi trainings was Centre for Strategy Management in joint venture with Execuget Consult Limited.
Individual trainers were contracted directly by these firms to deliver services on behalf of the NYOTA Project.
One of the trainers, Eric Morebu, says there were no concerns raised about the quality of work or compliance. He explains that the trainers were assured payment would be processed immediately after verification, but that commitment was not honoured.
Efforts to seek clarification have reportedly been met with silence or unclear responses. Emails and phone calls have either gone unanswered or resulted in shifting timelines that never materialise.
Trainers say no formal communication has been issued to explain the delay, which they describe as irregular for a donor-funded project that is expected to follow strict procedures and transparency standards.
Adding to the discomfort are claims that the implementing firms involved have links to former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria. Trainers believe these alleged political connections may have created an environment where contractual obligations can be ignored without fear of consequences.
While these claims remain allegations, they have deepened mistrust and raised concerns about political influence overriding accountability.
The financial impact on trainers has been severe. Many relied on the NYOTA Project as their main source of income during the training period. They paid for transport, accommodation, meals, and training materials from their own pockets, expecting timely payment.
With the festive season approaching, some trainers say they are struggling to pay rent, school fees, and meet basic family needs. For a programme built around economic empowerment, the situation feels deeply ironic.
Beyond individual hardship, the unfolding situation risks damaging confidence in government programmes supported by international donors. Trainers warn that continued silence and selective payment could discourage skilled professionals from participating in future public initiatives.
They argue that trust is essential if such programmes are to succeed and deliver real impact.
The affected trainers are now calling for intervention from the World Bank, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and Parliament to look into how funds under the NYOTA Project were handled, particularly in Nairobi.
They want clear answers on why payments were made in some regions while others were left out.
The NYOTA Project risks being remembered not for empowering young people, but as another example of how poor accountability and unanswered questions can undermine public trust and leave hardworking professionals bearing the cost.
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