Businesses owned by youth, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) took up tenders worth Sh4.15 billion from Kenya Power and Lighting Company during the last financial year, which ended on June 30, 2024.
Kenya Power’s General Manager for Supply Chain and Logistics, Dr. John Ngeno, attributed the impressive uptake of Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) tenders to deliberate efforts by the company to sensitise 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,” said Ngeno.
In a press statement on Tuesday, Ngeno said that the uptake surpassed the Sh1.2 billion target for the year that the company had set under Access to Government Procurement Opportunities.
“In the previous financial year, which ended June 30, 2023, the company awarded Sh472 million worth of tenders to these special interest groups,” he said.
He said that the uptake has been steady over the years owing to these engagements, and they hoped to sustain 100 per cent absorption of their annual AGPO budget as more Kenyans become aware of these opportunities.
He divulged that under the AGPO category, the company awards tenders that are not highly technical.
“Such tenders include the supply of locally available materials and common user items, works, and services, and the provision of cleaning services, among others,” he added.
The General Manager observed that youth-owned businesses took up the biggest chunk of the total value of AGPO tenders, accounting for Sh3.8 billion, followed by those owned by women and PWDs at Sh324 million and Sh1.3 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 Ngeno.
Ngeno said that the company would 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 sensitisation 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,” he said.
He further said that during the current financial year, the company is targeting to award Sh11.6 billion worth of AGPO tenders to the three special interest groups.
By Anita Omwenga
