The Government of Kenya has announced an ambitious plan to train 60,000 youth across the country on how to access government procurement opportunities, in a move aimed at boosting youth employment and inclusion in public contracting. The announcement was made by Principal Secretary for Public Investment and Assets Management, Cyril Wagunda Odede, during the Mazingira Day celebrations at Wasio Comprehensive School in Suna East, Migori County. The initiative marks a significant milestone in the Kenya Kwanza government’s commitment to empowering young people and promoting equitable participation in the economy.
Mr. Odede said the training forms part of a larger youth empowerment program that also includes in-job training for 90,000 youth and recognition of prior learning for an additional 20,000. The goal is to ensure that young Kenyans have the knowledge and skills to participate meaningfully in the government procurement process and take advantage of the 30 percent of public contracts reserved for youth, women, and persons with disabilities under the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) Policy.
He explained that while the government has reserved these opportunities for young people, many are yet to benefit due to limited awareness and lack of registration on the Electronic Government Procurement (EGP) system. “In every State Department and Government Agency, 30 percent of procurement is set aside for youth, women, and persons with disabilities. However, for you to benefit, you must register your company on the EGP system,” he said.
The PS expressed concern that a large number of youth seeking tenders approach political leaders instead of following the official registration process. He urged them to take advantage of the upcoming training, describing it as a life-changing opportunity that would enable them to become active contributors to the national economy. “Whenever I come here, I hear youth asking for tenders, but most have not even registered on the EGP system. Please do not follow anyone promising tenders until you have registered officially on the platform,” he advised.
The training initiative is complemented by the Sh5 billion NYOTA Programme, a partnership between the Government of Kenya and the World Bank that targets 10,000 youth across all 1,450 wards in the country. Under this programme, 70 young people per ward will benefit from skills development and employment opportunities, helping to bridge the gap between training and job creation.
Mr. Odede noted that registration for the NYOTA Programme was still ongoing and urged local administrators to mobilize youth before the deadline. “Even if it means walking door to door, ensure our youth register. We cannot allow this money and opportunity to go elsewhere,” he emphasized.
He also called on county governments to embrace transparency and technology by uploading their procurement plans onto the EGP system. He singled out Migori County Assembly as the only entity in the Nyanza region that had complied, cautioning that those who fail to update their systems risk being locked out of funding opportunities.
This initiative underscores the Kenya Kwanza government’s determination to empower youth through employment, entrepreneurship, and access to economic opportunities. By targeting 60,000 youth for procurement training, the program directly supports President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritizes job creation and capacity building for young people at the grassroots level.
The program’s long-term impact is expected to be substantial. By equipping youth with practical procurement skills and knowledge, the government aims to nurture a generation of entrepreneurs capable of driving Kenya’s economic growth. The initiative will also enhance transparency in government contracting, foster inclusivity, and stimulate local economies by enabling more young people to win tenders and provide goods and services to the public sector.
Ultimately, the initiative seeks to transform Kenya’s youth from job seekers into employers and innovators. It promises to open up new avenues for economic participation while strengthening accountability in public procurement. For the thousands of young Kenyans ready to seize this opportunity, the program represents a fresh start—one that could redefine the nation’s youth empowerment agenda and contribute to sustainable development.
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