Governors cite rigid rules in 30pc tender quota for women and youth

Governors have accused the procurement authority of frustrating efforts by the counties to achieve the 30 per cent procurement rule for women and youth.

Complex regulations and failure to train interested groups are some of the factors hindering the realisation of the objective, the county heads said.

The governors said the procurement oversight authority is inaccessible and unwilling to offer advice to counties regarding tenders.

Decentralisation

The county chiefs were speaking during the second Devolution Conference in Kisumu last week.

Decentralisation of the authority came under focus during a session chaired by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and moderated by Prof Njuguna Ngethe of the University of Nairobi.

The authority’s director-general Maurice Juma was hard-pressed to explain why it was almost impossible for women and youth to access 30 per cent of contracts.

SIMPLIFIED PROCESS

“The public procurement oversight authority is completely inaccessible and is non-committal on advice to counties on what the procurement should achieve,” said Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka.

“Procurement for counties are specific and the authority needs to tell us ways in which we can have this function done by the county assemblies through enacting laws,” said Siaya Governor Cornell Rasanga. 

However, Mr Juma said the authority has simplified all laws, adding that it also plans to waive performance bonds on all specialised groups seeking government tenders.

Kisumu County health executive Elizabeth Ogaja accused the authority of delaying procurement of goods and services in her docket.

“Health is critical and the authority needs to tell us how to navigate the complex procurement rules in a life-and-death situation,” she said.

Dr Ogaja said it was  tedious for counties to procure emergency drugs because of the authority’s complex laws.

Frustrations

Juma, however, cited frustrations from counties that do not give reports on the implementation of the 30 per cent procurement for women, youth and persons with disability.

Ms Banu Khan, form the UN Women told the delegates to focus more on how women can be allowed to access funds to procure.

“The other problem is the delayed payments for these contracts awarded to these people. This must be changed and also avail finances,” she said.

The PPOA is tasked with ensuring that not only all the procurement laws are followed, but also that the 30 per cent rules for the special groups is achieved.