Kenya: Parliament has passed a law to enforce Jubilee government's pledge to empower the youth, women and disabled persons by earmarking 30 per cent of all public procurement for them.
The Senate passed the Public Procurement and Disposal (Amendment) Bill, sponsored by nominated MP Johnson Sakaja, which will see 30 per cent of state tenders allocated to the special groups.
The Bill moved by Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki seeks to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor by economically empowering groups that have been side-lined for long. The Government also aims to address the issues of unemployment.
The National Assembly unanimously passed the Bill, noting that once it is enacted into law, government agencies must adhere to the requirements. Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang'ula backed the Bill, stating that it will address the needs of the marginalised groups and reduce their dependency on other sections of society.
"For long, youths have suffered in the hands of brokers but their lives have not changed for the better. A better future has become an illusion," said Wetang'ula. He continued: "The women and the disabled persons will be empowered economically. They play a major role in the development of this country."
Prof Kindiki said the new legislation will ensure the many disadvantaged people benefit. "We have also proposed new changes, which seeks to ensure all government entities report on their progress to Independent Procurement Oversight Authority for quarterly report to Parliament," he said.
He noted that the two Houses will deliberate on the report and ensure the set criteria is followed.
Prof Kindiki said in the proposed changes, no government agency will make any payment without ensuring that the mandatory signatory is either a youth, woman or a person with disability.
He also stated that National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich will be required to come up with proposal to relax the number of procedures required in the tendering process.
"The CS will be required to come up with a procurement rule that will be brought before Parliament for debate to increase absorption of the Sh200billion annually," he explained.
Kindiki noted that Government tenders amount to Sh600billion of which only Sh200billion is for the special group.
Anyang Nyong'o (Kisumu) proposed that penalties be meted on public bodies that do not meet the requirements of the Bill. Senators Bonny Khalwale (Kakamega) and Otieno Kajwang' (Homabay) said it will empower the special groups and improve their living standards. They called for the use of government entities like Post Bank in advancing funds to the groups.
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