The Presidential Directive on the women, the youth and persons with disabilities access to 30 percent of government procurement opportunities is been implemented within the context of a program called AGPO (Access to Government Procurement Opportunities) which was officially launched by His Excellency the President, Uhuru Kenyatta, on October 16th, 2013 in Nairobi County.
AGPO is founded on the Presidential Directive, the Preference and Reservations Regulations 2011, the Public Procurement And Disposal (Preference And Reservations) (Amendment) Regulations, 2013, the Constitution of Kenya 2010 Article 227 on the fair equitable, transparent and cost-effective public procurement of goods and services, the Constitution of Kenya 2010 Article 55 on affirmative action, the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2005, and the Public Procurement and Disposal Regulations, 2006.
The aim of the AGPO Program is to facilitate the enterprises owned by women, youth and persons with disability to be able to participate in government procurement. This will be made possible through the implementation of the Presidential Directive that 30 percent of government procurement opportunities be set aside specifically for enterprises owned by women, youth and persons with disability.
AGPO is therefore affirmative action program aimed at empowering women, youth and persons with disability by giving them more opportunities to do business with Government.
How to join;
Step 1 – Register a business enterprise at the Attorney General’s Office in the form of a sole proprietorship business, partnership business, limited company or a co-operative. The enterprise owned by youth, women or persons with disabilities shall be a legal entity that—
(a) is registered with the relevant government body; and
(b) has at least seventy percent membership of youth, women or persons with disabilities and the leadership shall be one hundred percent youth, women and persons with disability, respectively.
Step 2 – If business is a partnership, get a partnership deed from a lawyer, if it is a limited company a CR12 from the registrar of business names and for a co-operative, its constitution and membership.
Step 3 – Acquire a PIN and tax compliance/ tax exemption certificate from the Kenya Revenue Authority website or offices.
Step 4 – Acquire all required certifications from professional bodies and authorities such as National Construction Authority, Insurance Regulatory Authority, ICPAK, LSK, National Council for Persons with Disability, NEMA, ERC and all other authorized bodies.
Step 5 – Open a bank account for the business and acquire a bank reference from the bank.
Step 6 – Access the website www.agpo.go.ke and register online or visit your county government headquarters and register there.
