Kenya Power has announced a major rise in the value of contracts issued to enterprises run by youth, women and people living with disabilities (PWDs), with awards totalling KShs.3.5 billion in the financial year ending 30 June 2025.
The state utility recorded a 470% jump compared with the previous year, when businesses in these categories received KShs. 614 million. The latest figures represent the company’s strongest performance in eight years and highlight a broader push towards inclusive procurement.
Dr. John Ngeno, Kenya Power’s General Manager for Supply Chain and Logistics, said targeted engagement had contributed to the surge. “Last year, we were intentional in meeting and sensitizing 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.
Youth, women and PWDs are eligible for contracts reserved under the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) Framework, which obliges public institutions to allocate 30% of their annual procurement spending to these priority groups.
Within the 2024/25 financial year, youth-owned companies received the largest portion of awards at KShs. 2.2 billion. Women-owned businesses secured KShs. 1.25 billion, while PWDs-led enterprises received KShs. 66.7 million.
Dr. Ngeno said the company plans to expand outreach efforts to help more eligible businesses compete for tenders. “Looking forward, we want to accelerate sensitization forums for these interest groups and include training that will focus on step-by-step guidance on how to bid. We have noted that PWDs often lag behind the other groups and therefore, we will also use these forums to obtain feedback from this group on the challenges they could be facing so that we tailor solutions for them,” he said.
He added that Kenya Power will continue engaging financial institutions to help connect eligible businesses to funding options that can support their participation in procurement processes. The company also intends to run internal awareness drives across its departments to encourage greater use of AGPO provisions, prioritise procurement of common items from these groups, and ensure prompt payments to improve cash flow for suppliers.
The company says these steps are aimed at strengthening inclusive supply chain practices and enabling wider economic participation among historically disadvantaged groups.
