Kenya Power awards record KSh. 4B in AGPO tenders to Youth, Women, and PWDs

In a major boost for inclusivity in government procurement, youth, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) secured tenders worth KSh. 4.15 billion from Kenya Power during the 2023/2024 financial year.
This milestone marks a significant leap from the KSh. 472 million awarded in the previous financial year and surpasses the company’s KSh. 1.2 billion target under the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) program.
Kenya Power’s General Manager for Supply Chain and Logistics, Dr. John Ngeno, credited the surge in AGPO tender uptake to deliberate awareness campaigns and capacity-building efforts aimed at empowering these special interest groups.
“During the last financial year, we sustained education forums for the special interest groups on how to participate in our procurement process. The uptake has been steady over the years owing to these engagements, and we hope to sustain 100 percent absorption of our annual AGPO budget as more Kenyans become aware of these opportunities,” said Dr. Ngeno.
Among the beneficiaries, youth-owned enterprises took the lion’s share of the AGPO tenders, securing KSh. 3.8 billion. Women-owned businesses received KSh. 324 million, while firms run by PWDs took up KSh. 1.3 million.
Under AGPO, Kenya Power awards tenders for non-technical supplies and services, including locally available materials, common user items, and cleaning services.
Looking ahead, Kenya Power aims to triple its AGPO allocation in the 2024/2025 financial year, targeting KSh. 11.6 billion for youth, women, and PWD-led businesses.
“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,” added Dr. Ngeno.
To enhance participation, the company plans to strengthen financial linkages, ensuring easier access to credit for AGPO-eligible businesses. It will also increase publicity for procurement opportunities, conduct sensitization workshops, and ensure prompt supplier payments to ease cash flow challenges.
With an ambitious KSh. 11.6 billion target for AGPO tenders in 2024/2025, Kenya Power is setting the stage for more inclusive economic participation, unlocking new opportunities for youth, women, and PWD entrepreneurs across the country.