President William Ruto has announced an ambitious plan to train 600,000 Kenyans to navigate the complex world of government procurement, aiming to unlock billions in state tenders for youth, women, and persons with disabilities.

This initiative seeks to operationalize the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) law, which reserves 30% of state tenders for marginalized groups. Historically, uptake has been hampered by bureaucracy and a lack of technical know-how, leaving billions of shillings on the table or in the hands of "tenderpreneurs."

Breaking Barriers

The training aims to demystify the bidding process, ensuring that the elusive "national cake" actually reaches the grassroots. If successful, it could be a game-changer for economic empowerment.

• Target Group: 600,000 beneficiaries, focusing on youth and women groups.
• The Goal: To create a new class of entrepreneurs capable of delivering goods and services to the government efficiently.
• The Challenge: Critics point out that training is only half the battle; timely payment by government entities remains the biggest killer of small businesses in Kenya.

A Step Toward Equity?

While the promise is bold, the proof will be in the payment vouchers. Training citizens to apply for tenders is futile if pending bills continue to bankrupt suppliers. However, as a policy signal, it represents a significant push to democratize wealth creation in Kenya.