JKUAT & KCCSA train close to 150 women, youth and disabled on government procurement procedures.

 The over 100 youth, women and persons with disability-owned who participated in the one sensitization workshop pose for a group photo with Kiambu Deputy Governor Gerald Githinji.   Photo || Wachira Njenge 

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology & Kiambu Coordinated County Stakeholders Association trained at least over 100 youth, women and persons with disability-owned enterprises to be able to participate in government procurement procedures.

JKUAT’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs Prof. Romanus Odhiambo addressing the participants duirng the one day sensitization workshop. Photo|| Wachira Njenge 

Speaking during a sensitization workshop, JKUAT’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs Prof. Romanus Odhiambo said the program aims to enhance awareness, build capacity, increase transparency and promote competition for public tenders.

Kiambu County Deputy Governor H.E Gerald Githinji addressing the close to 100 participants during the sensitization workshop. Photo ||| Wachira Njenge

The Chief Guest Kiambu Deputy Governor H.E Gerald Githinji lauded the University for hosting such a workshop acknowledging that in the era of high unemployment among the youth academia-stake holders collaborations play a significant role to solve problems rising from lack of jobs by generating relevant knowledge.  

H.E. Gerald Githinji called upon the youth to be solution providers and embrace entrepreneurship as a means of seeking employment. 

"I receive alot of CV's from youth just like you asking for employment, once in a while i take time to advice those who come to me to focus on their strengths and see if they can use that to their advantage by being entrepreneurs," said HE Gerald Githinji

He also under scored the importance of the participants applying for tenders advertised by the various government agencies, and not to give up even after the first bid is rejected. 

 

Mr Kangethe Wa Kimani the  Co- Chairman Kiambu County Stakeholders Association addressing the participants during the sensitization  workshop. Photo|| Wachira Njenge
 

Mr Kimani Kangethe KCCSA, CO- Chairman thanked JKUAT management for their immense support and cooperation that they had extended to the group.

"We have entered in to a long lasting partnership with this institution because we saw the need for our youth and women within Kiambu County and beyond to be trained by JKUAT in order for them to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge on how to access government procurement opportunities under the AGPO initiative". said Kangethe

 

Participants of the AGPO workshop follow the presentations keenly. Photo || Wachira Njenge

In 2013, President Uhuru Kenyatta directed that the procurement rules be amended to allow 30 per cent of government contracts to be given to the youth, women and persons with disability without competition from established firms.

The Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) initiative aims to facilitate the youth, women and persons with disability-owned enterprises to be able to participate in government procurement.

A procuring entity shall allocate at least thirty percent of its procurement spend for the purposes procuring goods, works and services from micro and small enterprises owned by youth, women and persons with disability.

Cross Section of Participants listening keenly to the proceedings. Photo|| Wachira Njenge 

 The workshop had breakout sessions that saw Jane Ngatia of the JKUAT Student Counsellor address the participants on Harnessing Entreprenuership skills with a humane touch; while Veronica from Huduma Center Thika,  Susan Bukhala from JKUAT's Procurement Office, Christopher KRA Thika addressed the participants on various issues including Tax Compliance requirements, the AGPO initiative, government procurement process at the University and access to business finance and LPO financing amongst other topics.