Corporate Communications Firm Crestwood at Centre of Payment Row Involving Kisii NYOTA Trainers

A Nairobi-based corporate communications, public relations and digital marketing agency that has built its reputation through major government, corporate and regional assignments is now at the centre of payment complaints from trainers engaged under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, who say they remain unpaid nearly two months after completing their work.

Crestwood Marketing & Communications Ltd, founded in 2014 and led by Group Chairman David Osiany, HSC, is a Nairobi-based corporate communications, public relations and digital marketing agency.

The firm has built a profile through strategic communications assignments for government agencies, multinational organisations, youth-focused programmes and regional industry initiatives.

Crestwood was also awarded contracts by the Kenyan government to provide Business Development Services (BDS) under the NYOTA Project, placing it among the firms involved in delivering components of the programme across the country.

The firm has built a profile through strategic communications assignments for government agencies, multinational organisations, youth-focused programmes and regional industry initiatives, positioning it among the more visible players in Kenya's corporate communications sector.

The company is now being questioned by trainers from Kisii County who say they successfully conducted NYOTA beneficiary training sessions, fulfilled all reporting requirements and completed their assignments, yet have not received compensation or a clear explanation regarding the continued delay.

According to the trainers, Crestwood was responsible for processing payments linked to the exercise.

They say repeated follow-ups have not produced definitive timelines, leaving facilitators uncertain about when they will be paid for services already rendered.

The dispute emerges at a time when payment-related grievances are increasingly being reported by personnel involved in NYOTA programme activities across different parts of the country.

Similar complaints from trainers and ICT officers engaged through other service providers have recently drawn attention to the handling of compensation for workers supporting programme implementation.

For the affected trainers, the issue has become a source of mounting frustration because many committed substantial time, expertise and personal resources to deliver the training programme, expecting payment to follow shortly after completion of the exercise.

Several facilitators say they incurred transport and operational expenses while carrying out the assignment and are now struggling to understand why payment remains outstanding weeks after the work was completed.

The trainers are calling on Crestwood Marketing & Communications to publicly clarify the status of the payments, explain the reasons for the delay and provide a firm timeline for settlement, while urging the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) to intervene and ensure trainers engaged under the NYOTA programme receive compensation for work already delivered.

"Hello Nyakundi. I am writing on behalf of trainers from Kisii County who participated in the training of NYOTA Programme beneficiaries. It has now been close to two months since we successfully completed the training exercise, yet we have not received our payments. The organization responsible for processing the trainers' payments, Crestwood, has remained silent and has not provided any clear communication regarding when the payments will be made. Despite several follow-ups, trainers continue to wait without any official explanation or commitment. Many trainers dedicated their time, skills and resources to ensure the success of the programme, and the prolonged delay has caused frustration and financial strain. We therefore request you to help bring this matter to public attention so that the concerned parties can address it and provide a clear update on the status of the payments. Your support in highlighting this issue will be greatly appreciated by the affected trainers."