The government has raised concerns over the failure of marginalised groups in the community to fully exploit the procurement opportunities reserved for such groups.
Speaking to journalists in his office on Friday ,Kiambu County Trade CeC Dr Samuel Otieno said that people living with disability and other marginalised groups in the area were yet to become economically empowered as they lacked adequate information on government procurement procedures.
He stated that only intensive awareness campaigns and economic education targeting the groups would reverse the trend and encourage the groups to participate in national building.
“We need to focus on creating awareness on the benefits of getting the procurement procedure right for the vulnerable groups in order to ensure they benefit from such chances,” he said.
Dr Otieno said the government directed 30 per cent of all its tenders to go to women, youth and people living with disability, though they are yet to be fully explored.
He said it was regrettable that despite the availability of other funds in the region like Uwezo and Women Enterprise Fund, the impact was yet to be felt on the ground and called for more awareness.
He added that the county had set aside over one billion shillings for development but the youth and women were yet to take advantage of the 30 per cent procurement law.
“We are urging the youth in the region to ensure that they have won tenders to supply various goods and services to the county. That will make them uplift their lives economically,” he said.
He said the Biashara centres would provide employment opportunities for youths in the region to work towards offering linkages with other organisations that will offer economic lessons to the marginalised groups.