Win for marginalised groups as Kenya Power awards them more tenders

Ikuusya Wamama Tuamke women group at a  Table Banking meeting in Mwingi supported by ADRA Kenya on 13th November 2020. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Kenya Power has witnessed a surge in the participation of special interest groups, including youth, women, and persons with disabilities, in its procurement opportunities. 

In the current financial year, KPLC General Manager John Ng’eno says, the parastatal has awarded tenders worth Sh609 million to these special groups.

According to Ng’eno, the increase in uptake resulted from the sensitization programmes that were undertaken by the parastatal in a bid to inform them of the procurement opportunities available.

“We have sustained sensitization workshops across the country to educate special interest groups on how to participate in our procurement processes so that we can attain 100% absorption of the procurement budget that we have set aside for them," said Ngeno. 

In its procurement opportunities, KPLC awarded the youths a total of Sh472.9 million under the Supply Chain and Logistics Businesses tender.

Women and PWDs on the other hand accounted for Sh135.5 million and Sh646,700 respectively. 

These tenders are part of the Sh1.8 billion procurement budget that had been reserved to be used under the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities.

This year’s tender allocation is an increase from the previous financial year, where the marginalised groups were awarded a total of Sh244 million worth of tender by Kenya Power.

According to Ng’eno, the Company is working in collaboration with leading financial institutions to offer financial aid to the bidders falling under the special group category as well as carrying pre-bid conferences during a tendering period to enhance knowledge and awareness among bidders.

This they say aims at creating a more inclusive and equitable procurement process as well as empowering the marginalized entrepreneurs in the country.