The World Bank’s Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP) is under the spotlight following claims from beneficiaries about unfulfilled grant disbursements.
The project, which aimed to empower young Kenyans through business development skills and start-up grants, disbursed Ksh 20,000 as the first tranche to several participants, but the second tranche remains undelivered.
According to the latest communication from the Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA), the final disbursement period ended between December 2023 and February 2024.
They acknowledged that some beneficiaries did not receive their full grants before the project’s closure.
Many of the affected victims feel that the assurances provided are insufficient and possibly deceptive.
Sources reveal to Kenya’s top blogger Cyprian Nyakundi saying, “After the World Bank launched this project, many young people received grants for their businesses. I was one of the beneficiaries. Tulikua tunapewa 40k, but Zilitumwa first tranche 20k, then the other 20k.
“Mimi nilikua last kwa hio cycle, but tulipata 20k; this was November last year. After all those months, ndio wanatuambia hivi wamesema. I think walikula hio pesa sasa ni kujaribu tu kutuuzia hot air. Note that hio pesa haikua ya gava ilkua ya World Bank. I think wametuosha hvo.”