Kenya Power has posted its strongest performance in eight years under the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) framework, after businesses owned by youth, women and persons living with disabilities secured KSh 3.5 billion in tenders during the financial year ending 30 June 2025.
This represents a 470 percent jump from the KSh 614 million awarded in the previous financial year, signalling major progress in inclusive procurement and economic participation among traditionally underrepresented groups.
According to Kenya Power’s General Manager for Supply Chain and Logistics, Dr John Ngeno, the jump followed sustained sensitisation drives, targeted outreach and capacity-building for eligible enterprises.
“We were intentional in meeting and sensitising the youth, women and PWDs about procurement opportunities that exist for them within the Company. Our efforts have led to these impressive results,” he said.
AGPO: Youth Take the Lead as PWD Participation Lags
Under the AGPO framework, all public entities are required to reserve 30 percent of annual procurement budgets for youth, women and PWD-owned enterprises.
In the 2024-25 financial year:
- Youth-owned businesses secured the largest share at KSh 2.2 billion.
- Women-owned businesses received KSh 1.25 billion.
- PWD-owned businesses won KSh 66.7 million.
Despite the strong overall performance, Kenya Power noted that PWD-owned enterprises continue to trail the other groups in uptake and competitiveness.
Dr Ngeno said the utility will intensify training and step-by-step bid preparation guidance while collecting feedback from PWD business owners to understand barriers and develop practical solutions.
Next Steps: More Training, Easier Financing and Internal Push for AGPO Compliance
Kenya Power plans to expand sensitisation forums and work more closely with financial institutions to help enterprises under AGPO access credit, bid securities and working capital.
The company also intends to strengthen internal enforcement across user departments to ensure that common user items are consistently allocated to AGPO groups and that payments are processed promptly to support cash flows.
These measures aim to deepen participation and ensure inclusive, sustainable procurement that supports economic empowerment for youth, women and PWDs.
