A report by the National Treasury shows that only one of the 12 independent commissions has complied with President Uhuru Kenyatta's directive on procurement.
In 2013, the Head of State directed that the procurement rules be amended to allow 30 percent contracts to be given to the youth, women and persons with disability without competition from established firms.
In a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Treasury Principal Secretary Dr Kamau Thugge observed that 12 independent offices had cumulatively awarded 1,770 tenders worth Ksh 496,410,979 to the Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
"This represents 6.34% of the total procurement spent (TPS) of Ksh 7,834,901,457.
"Of the 12 commissions, only the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KHRC) awarded at least 30% of its total procurement spent to the disadvantaged group as required by law," stated Dr Thugge.
He urged commissions to give feedback on the individual institutions AGPO implementation during the 2017/2018 finanical year.
The commissions are: the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), Judiciary, IEBC, Public Service Commission (PSC), Office of the Controller of Budget, Director of Public Prosecutions, Commission on Revenue Allocation, Teachers Service Commission (TSC), National Gender and Equality Commission, National Lands Commission, Commission on Administrative Justice and the National Police Service Commission.
The Public Procurement Directorate under the Ministry of Finance is in charge of the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) initiative which was launched at KICC on June 29th 2012.
The Director of the Public Procurement Directorate Eric Korir, was tasked with spearheading this initiative to enable youth, women and people with disability access 30% of Government Tenders.
The aim of the AGPO Program is to facilitate the youth, women and persons with disability-owned enterprises to be able to participate in government procurement.
This will be made possible through the implementation of the Presidential Directive that 30% of government procurement opportunities be set aside specifically for these enterprises.
It is an affirmative action aimed at empowering youth, women and persons with disability-owned enterprises by giving them more opportunities to do business with Government.
