Factors Influencing Youth Access to Government Procurement Opportunities in the Ministry of East African Community, Labour and Social Protection, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The Youth Access to Government Procurement Opportunities is an affirmative action programme launched by the government to economically empower youth among other vulnerable groups. Other targeted groups include women and Persons with Disabilities. This is possible through the implementation of the Presidential Directive that 30% of government procurement opportunities be set aside specifically for these enterprises. This study aimed at investigating the factors that influence youth access to government procurement opportunities in the Ministry of East African Community, Labour and Social Protection, Nairobi Kenya. The study focused on the State Departments for Labour and Social Protection. The study determined how communication influences the Youth Access to Government Procurement Opportunities; established how planning influences the Youth Access to Government Procurement Opportunities; assessed how monitoring and evaluation influence the Youth Access to Government Procurement Opportunities and examined the extent to which funding influences the Youth Access to Government Procurement Opportunities . The research design used in this study is a descriptive survey design. The targeted population was the 426 youth businesses prequalified by the 2 state departments to supply goods and services in the areas of ICT services, Professional Services and Consultancy, Small Works and Engineering, Fresh Produce and Agricultural Produce and General Supplies. The study also targeted 3 key informants including the heads of the Planning and Monitoring Unit, Supply Chain Management Unit and the National Youth Council. Both purposive as well as random sampling design was used. A sample of 108 youth enterprises constituting 25% of the population was asked to fill in a questionnaire. Of these, 84 returned the questionnaire. The study established that the factors that mostly influences youth access to government procurement opportunities in the Ministry of East African Community, Labour and Social Protection is funding; communication; monitoring & evaluation and planning in that order. The study recommends that the youth entrepreneurs should have a project plan that demonstrates the aspects of the projects that are carefully thought through and clearly defined plans for project execution and control to be formulated in order for the enterprises to attract funding from banks; financial institutions; LPO financing and grants. The study also recommends that Monitoring & evaluation should be frequent to maintain performance of the enterprises. The study recommends that the youth serving organizations should empower the youth by creating awareness on the procurement opportunities available.