On 22^nd September 2022, KEPSA, led by Ms Gloria Ndekei - Vice Chair, KEPSA Foundation, together with other stakeholders representing youth, women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), held a meeting with officials from Maribel-Hermans Associates, a consulting firm contracted by the National Treasury to conduct an impact assessment on the implementation of Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) since inception.

The meeting aimed at gathering feedback from the stakeholders who have participated in the AGPO program regarding the implementation, challenges experienced and recommendations for consideration to improve the AGPO policy. The meeting was informed by the fact that the private sector organizations are the main stakeholders and beneficiaries in the uptake of the procurement opportunities available through the program.

During the discussion, those in attendance inquired as to whether data was available on the program's level of penetration, acceptance and value. It was reported that there had been 173,000 registrations within the three categories of youth, women and PWDs, with the youth being the most registered. Women received the most opportunities (50%) followed by the youth and PWDs respectively while the highest tender awarded ever was worth Ksh. 30 million which went to a PWD.

The members present raised challenges experienced during AGPO uptake as follows:

• Low-value tenders were being awarded to the categories

• Indifference on the part of the procurement entities

• Lack of transparency in the agreements and a lack of accountability of the procurement entity

• Delayed payment and Non-payment - It was noted that this had and would easily be tackled through the use of IFMIS with the County of Kilifi being highlighted as a case of good practice. It was also noted that planning and leadership were critical in this matter.

• Lack of Access to financial support

• Lack of a clear definition of marginalized where it was suggested that the program should consider expanding the scope instead

• The filling of tender forms is complicated in language ambiguity, clauses, and mandatory documents

• The tender process is discriminatory to new entrants in the requirements section requiring them to provide, audited accounts, bank statements, and proof of similar work.

Recommendations made by the members included:

• Training for the special groups to access AGPO

• Arbitration support reinforcement between parties

• A precise definition of the 30% since it is a key factor to allow for more penetration.

• Implementation and monitoring of AGPO to be centralized since implementation was being done by Treasury and Monitoring by the Ministry of Gender.

• Cocreation through innovation for the improvement of AGPO

• Awareness creation for AGPO to increase uptake by the target group

• The government-imposed penalties to be rescinded

• 30-day payment period for the suppliers to be enforced

• Designated desks for AGPO within institutions

• The incorporation of Sustainability in public procurement

• Improvement of tenders for PWD e.g. the use of braille for the visually impaired

• The mindset of procurement entities towards the categories.

• Definition and consideration of the role of Huduma centres for AGPO

Participants in the meeting agreed unanimously that AGPO was a good program that could benefit Kenyans and was a tool for job creation and inclusion. The meeting also noted the importance of stakeholders going through and familiarising themselves with legislation concerning procurement.

KEPSA reiterated its commitment to continue supporting AGPO to improve it for the benefit of its members. AGPO was at the same time commended for the good work and playing a critical role in the inception of the supplier diversity subsector board of the KEPSA Gender Sector Board.

Maribel-Hermans Associates was represented by Mr Kasole Wasonga and Mr Aggrey Lukale.