Kenya Power has reported a remarkable 150% increase in the value of tenders granted to youth, women, and persons with disabilities under the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) initiative.

From July 2023 to March 2024, the company allocated tenders worth Sh609 million to these special interest groups, a significant rise from the Sh244 million awarded during the corresponding period last year.

John Ngeno, Kenya Power’s General Manager of Supply Chain and Logistics, highlighted the company’s commitment to empowering these groups, stating, “We have sustained sensitisation workshops across the country to educate special interest groups on how to participate in our procurement processes so that we can attain 100 percent absorption of the procurement budget that we have set aside for them.”

Businesses owned by youth secured the largest share of tenders at Sh472.9 million, followed by women at Sh135.5 million and persons with disabilities at Sh646,700. To further bolster participation, Kenya Power conducted sensitization workshops in Mombasa and Kisumu targeting these groups.

In collaboration with financial institutions, the company is facilitating financial support for bidders under the AGPO category.

Dr. Ngeno emphasized the importance of these partnerships, stating, “We are keen to maintain liaison with leading financial institutions to offer financial support to bidders…to boost their capacity to bid.”

Moreover, pre-bid conferences are being organized during tendering periods to enhance knowledge and awareness among bidders, demonstrating Kenya Power’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and diversity in procurement processes.