Gov’t officers must follow procurement law on youth – Uhuru

President Uhuru Kenyatta has issued a stern warning to government officials who fail to pay the youth, women and persons with disability under the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) saying they will face the sack.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi, when he addressed State House Youth Summit, President Kenyatta reassured  the government’s commitment to empowering young people insisting that AGPO is now a law and has to be adhered to at all times.

“AGPO is now a law. It is not a question of policy. I promise you will not hide or be transferred. You will leave and create opportunity for those who are willing to abide by the law,” President Kenyatta warned

The AGPO law stipulates that 30 per cent of all government procurement be allocated to the youth, women and people with disability.

The Head of State emphasised that his administration has continued to put affairs of young people at the centre its programs.

Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Sicily Kariuki, said that her Ministry is in the process of reviewing the National Youth Policy to effectively address problems facing the youth in the country.

She said her Ministry, through affirmative action empowerment programs, has enabled the youth to engage in viable economic activities.

The Cabinet Secretary said the Government has disbursed Ksh 5.35 billion through Uwezo Fund, Ksh 11.7 billion through the Youth Enterprise Development Fund and Ksh 8.96 billion has been disbursed through the Women Enterprise Fund.