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Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has nearly tripled its allocation of procurement opportunities to Youth, Women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
This revelation was made during a sensitization meeting with women-owned suppliers, where KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Rebecca Miano said KenGen had set aside specific procurement opportunities to be awarded to the special category groups categories under the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) programme.
“I am happy to note that exclusive allocations for the special groups of youth, women, and persons with disabilities have steadily grown over the past seven years,” said Mrs. Miano.
The KenGen CEO added that KenGen had about 900 firms registered in KenGen’s Supplier Relationship Management System (SRM) under the special/disadvantaged groups categories and was confident that the number was bound to grow towards achieving the 30% target of the company’s total procurement under the AGPO programme.
During the sensitisation meeting targeting 758 registered women-owned enterprises, Mrs. Miano explained the company’s procurement and budgeting cycle highlighting the various opportunities earmarked for women-owned enterprises and other special groups.
The event offered an opportunity for women-owned enterprises to share their experiences and an opportunity to ask questions.
In her remarks, Mrs. Miano encouraged women-owned suppliers not to shy off from participating in high value tenders for technical engineering goods and services including those falling under the national and international category.
“While it is clear that government has set aside 30% of procurement opportunities to the special groups, nothing stops women suppliers from bidding and tendering for the big contracts as well,” said Mrs. Miano.
Mrs. Miano said KenGen has made arrangements with some local banks and financial institutions to support special groups. In addition, the Company has partnered with other organisations including International Finance Corporation to conduct capacity building for women-owned enterprises and also help them to access financing.