Businesses owned by youth, women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) took up tenders worth Ksh4.15 billion from Kenya Power during the financial year ended June 30, 2024.
The uptake surpassed the Ksh1.2 billion target for the year that the Company had set under Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO). In the previous financial year (ended 30th June 2023), the Company awarded KShs.472 million worth of tenders to these groups.
Kenya Power’s General Manager for Supply Chain and Logistics Dr. John Ngeno attributed the impressive uptake of AGPO tenders to deliberate effort by the Company to sensitize target groups on procurement opportunities.
“During the last financial year, we sustained education forums for the special interest groups on how to participate in our procurement process. The uptake has been steady over the years owing to these engagements and we hope to sustain 100% absorption of our annual AGPO budget as more Kenyans become aware of these opportunities,” he said.
Under the AGPO category, the Company awards tenders that are not highly technical. They include the supply of locally available materials and common user items, works and services, and the provision of cleaning services, among others.
Youth-owned businesses took up the biggest chunk of the total value of AGPO tenders accounting for KShs.3.8 billion followed by those owned by women and PWDs at Ksh324 million and Ksh1.3 million respectively.
“Through AGPO, we aim to foster inclusivity in our procurement processes. Going forward, our focus will be more on persons with disabilities and women. Through tailored engagements, we want to ensure that they participate actively in our procurement as is the case with the youth,” said Dr Ngeno.
He added that the Company will continue to work collaboratively with financial institutions to provide linkages for financial support to the interest groups to facilitate their participation in the procurement processes.
This is in addition to sensitization workshops and conferences targeting these groups, pre-bid conferences during the tendering period to enhance knowledge, increased publicity of the available AGPO opportunities as well as prompt payment for suppliers to strengthen their cash flow.
During the current financial year, the Company is targeting to award KShs.11.6 billion worth of AGPO tenders to the three special interest groups.
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