Let youth grab opportunities in Government

The low number of youth turning to take up the 30 per cent Government tenders reserved for them has now reached worrying levels. Government reports indicate that the procurement rule, meant to improve youth’s fortunes, is not living up to the expectation. Of the Sh63 billion reserved for the youth, only Sh3 billion has been spent.

A preliminary report on Youth Access to Government Procurement shows only 30,000 youth have registered entities to do business with the Government - of which only 6,000 benefited from this ambitious plan.

No person less than President Uhuru Kenyatta, has lamented the low uptake of these opportunities among the youth. Now, considering the high level of unemployment, it seems majority are not aware of the 30 per cent tender rule and the way to conduct business with the Government.

Still, majority complain of the long processes one has to go through to win a public tender. But the pain is worth it and these procedures are put in place to lock out corruption and eventually ensure quality service to the end users. It would not be prudent to award a tender to someone without capacity or even the will to deliver.

For the record, any organisation eyeing Government tenders through the Preference and Reservation and are registered with the relevant Government bodies, can now enroll with the National Treasury online by visiting the website www.agpo.go.ke and create an account. There are many acceptable legal statuses for the youth.

The youth can operate this form of business through sole proprietorship, partnership, joint ventures, consortiums or limited companies. The process of registering is easy. All that is needed is for one to fill in the form titled: Registration form for Youth Enterprises for supply of goods, works and services to Government. Here is the website: www.treasury.go.ke.

Nipped in the bud

For the organisations to benefit from this scheme they must have at least 70 per cent membership of youth, women or persons with disabilities and the leadership be 100 per cent youth, women and the disabled, respectively. Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Ann Waiguru has even promised an affirmative action to help the youth access these public tenders through the Public Procurement and Disposal regulations, 2013.

But it has also emerged that cut-throat competition from established companies, organised groups and influential individuals have denied majority of youth, women and persons with disabilities the opportunity to secure Government tenders. This must be nipped in the bud, but the youth must also take action.

Every year, thousands of young people graduate from institutions of higher learning. Instead of merely sitting back waiting for the elusive jobs, why shouldn’t we come up with ideas to create opportunities? The 30 per cent tender rule is one opportunity such graduates should explore.

For the Government, encouraging youth from across the breadth and with of this country, to register companies and get public tenders, the ripple effect would go along the way in ensuring stability and sustainable development. Insecurity and the so-called radicalisation of idle youths in troubled counties would not happen in the first place. It is not rocket science to realise that a decently engaged population will stabilise the country politically, socially and economically.

Finally, my call to every young person is to familiarise himself or herself with the requirements needed to conduct business with the Government. There is a huge opportunity for the youth to unlock their potential and help Kenya achieve a middle income economy even before the envisaged 2030. Over to you fellow youths!
—The writer is a youth leader and business man