Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang has asked President William Ruto to establish a task force that will probe access to government procurement opportunities program.
The Senator says many youths, women and people with disabilities are disadvantaged when hunting for procurement opportunities.
“Mr President, I want to bring to your attention that some people are taking advantage of youths, women and PWDs. Some use their ID cards to register companies but when opportunities come, it is them who don’t belong to that category who benefit,” he said.
"If we ensure the 30 per cent allocated to women, youths and PWDs lands in the right hands, then these youths will have money and jobs."
The Senator was speaking Cheptais, in Mt Elgon, Bungoma County on Sunday during a church service.
President William Ruto was present during the church service.
The Senator asked the President to take up the matter and ensure that those disadvantaging the groups are held accountable in accordance with the law.
“The funds meant to empower these groups often end up in other people's pockets, defeating the purpose of the program,” the Senator said.
“It's time to ensure fairness, accountability and these Opportunities benefit the right people.”
The legal requirement for women, youth and persons with disabilities to access 30% of Government Procurement opportunities is being implemented within the context of the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) program which was officially launched by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta on October 16, 2013 in Nairobi.
The AGPO program is founded on the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 Article 227 on the fair, equitable, transparent and cost-effective public procurement of goods and services, Article 55 on affirmative action and, the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.
The AGPO program aims to facilitate the enterprises owned by women, youth and persons with disabilities to be able to participate in Government opportunities.
As a result, the program is aimed at empowering them by giving them more opportunities to do business with Government.
