Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has awarded tenders worth KSh 3.8 billion to youth-led businesses. Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) technical team installing a transmission post. Photo: Kenya Power. Source: Twitter The group received the lion’s share of the tenders under Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO). How KPLC supported women, PWDs businesses KPLC awarded tenders worth over KSh 4.15 billion to Kenyan youth women and people living with disabilities (PWDs) under AGPO in 2024, surpassing the company’s target of KSh 1.2 billion.
Women-led businesses and those run by PWDs took home KSh 324 million and KSh 1.3 million worth of tenders, respectively. In the financial year ending June 30, 2023, Kenya Power awarded these groups KSh 472 million worth of tenders. KPLC General Manager, Supply Chain and Logistics Dr John Ngeno revealed that the company has set aside KSh 11.6 billion worth of tenders to the three groups during the current financial year. “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 in a press statement seen by TUKO.co.ke. How KPLC ensures youth, women and PWDs get tenders Ngeno attributed the impressive uptake of AGPO tenders to deliberate effort by the company to sensitize target groups on procurement opportunities.
He noted that the utility firm sustained education forums for the special interest groups on how to participate in our procurement process during the year under review. “Owing to these engagements, the uptake has been steady over the years, and we hope to sustain 100% absorption of our annual AGPO budget as more Kenyans become aware of these opportunities,” he said. Which tenders do KPLC awards youth and women? 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.
Ngeno added that KPLC 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, and prompt payment for suppliers to strengthen their cash flow.
by Wycliffe Musalia
