Environment PS Margaret Mwakima at a past event. [Photo/ mediamaxnetwork.co.ke]
Environment and Natural Resources PS Margaret Mwakima has said the State is reviewing procurement procedures to ensure more women win government tenders.
Mwakima was responding to concerns from women in Taita Taveta County who decried being locked out of such opportunities.The women said the tough procedures were denying them procurement opportunities.They claimed a presidential directive requiring women and youth to get 30 per cent of government tenders wasn’t working in the county.Among their concerns was the need to produce an Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (Agpo) certificate from the Finance and Planning ministry and Kenya Bureau of Standards clearance. "Agpo has become a major hindrance to the development of small-scale women entrepreneurs in the region. There is need for the Government to streamline the issue of Agpo certification to enable more small-scale businesswomen to access the procurement opportunities to improve on their lot," said Lina Mwachuma as quoted by the Standard."We don’t know when the government tenders are being advertised. The government should come up with a way where the beneficiaries can easily access tenders," she added.On her part, the PS said the government was working to ensure the programme targeted groups.She made the remarks Thursday when she distributed over Sh1.7 million from the Women Enterprise Fund kitty to 11 women groups.