Ensure transparency in youth tender awards

Revelations that the government has released new guidelines for the registration of enterprises that want to benefit from an affirmative action that reserves public tenders for youth groups is quite welcome.

According to the Treasury, youth enterprises will soon benefit from the plan in which 10 per cent of all government contracts for goods and services will be awarded to qualified suppliers from youth groups.

We welcome the initiative as it is in line with the Kenyan government’s long-term aim of creating jobs and alleviating the endemic unemployment problem affecting the youth population.

However, we urge those implementing the plan to ensure that it is rolled out in a transparent manner.

The process should be competitive, free and fair. It should not be seen as another avenue to milk public funds for a few greedy officials.

The Youth Enterprise Development Fund is currently embroiled in a financial scandal, which does not augur well for the sector.

The onus is also on the youth groups to ensure that those who qualify for the tenders ensure that they fulfil the requirements and not fail to complete their part in the deal.

The requirements for those wishing to participate are not tedious and are only meant to ensure there is order.

For example, the youth enterprises should provide details of their preferred type of business, profile of employees, the business turnover, plus value added tax, PIN and business registration documents.

By targeting companies run by the youth, the government will help develop the start-ups and create more jobs.

It is our belief that the process deserves the support of Kenyans.

The country is currently sitting on a ticking unemployment time bomb that can only be defused by the creation of jobs for the youth.

The programme will also help drive the government’s Vision 2030 economic blueprint.