Every year, the government of Kenya sets aside a significant 30 per cent of its procurement budget specifically for women, Youth and person with disability.
This move aims to create a fair playing ground for these segments of the society which have historically been locked out of government tenders.
However, Public Procurement Regulatory Authority report for January to June 2022 showed that only 18 per cent of this budget allocation is consumed.
Elizabeth Obanda, Team Lead and Analyst on Women’s Economic Empowerment at UN Women has cited a number of reason that points out to this low uptake of the budget.
Speaking during a media personnel capacity building forum on Gender-Responsive Procurement by UN Women, she noted that the tendering process tends to be tedious with voluminous paper works which is not favourable for women, Youths and persons living with disability.
“We know the paperwork can be a bit much, and the tendering process still feels out of reach for many small businesses. But we want women and youth to know that it is possible. Start where you are, and go for it,” she said.
She said another hurdle is expensive tender security which most women, youths and persons with disability are not able to raise.
Ms Obanda however notes that despite all the challenges, women should still take up the opportunities and give it a short. Since this is competitive process, she insisted women must put in their best foot forward to win the available tenders.
Her Sentiments were echoed by Millicent Okello, Women’s Economic Specialist, Gender Responsive Procurement, UN Women. In her remarks, Ms Okello advocated for fairness in the tendering processes.
“The goal is to make sure everyone has a fair shot and that no one is left behind. The system is improving, and with more awareness and training, we’ll see higher participation,” she said.
The duo however lauded the Kenyan government for the strides made in implementing the affirmative action in the tendering processes even though the target has not been achieved yet.
The 30 per cent procurement rule anchored in Kenya’s 2010 Constitution and operationalized through the AGPO initiative is a cornerstone of gender-responsive budgeting. It echoes Kenya’s commitment to Vision 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5: Gender Equality), and Agenda 2063 by the African Union.
Simon Okoth, Principal Supply Chain Management Officer at the National Treasury assured the participants of a fair tendering processes.
According to Mr Okoth, the processes have since been digitized which make it even easier to get the tenders and apply in a click of a button.
“We don’t work with individuals in the tendering processes, you must have a registered company and after registering the company, you get the AGPO certificate which is gotten online,” said Mr. Okoth.
