FAQ’s
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The Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) program is an affirmative action initiative by the Government of Kenya. It reserves 30% of all public procurement contracts for enterprises owned by youth, women, and persons with disabilities. This aims to economically empower these groups by allowing them to supply goods, services, and works to the government without competing directly with larger, established companies .
It is a legal requirement. The program is mandated by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (PPADA), 2015 and the Constitution of Kenya (Articles 227 and 55) to ensure fair and equitable access to public tenders .
All groups (Women, Youth, PWDs) must ensure their business is legally recognized. You need:
A: Yes. Women with disabilities face compounded barriers, including:
Yes. The government, in partnership with organizations like UN Women, is implementing Gender-Responsive Procurement (GRP) initiatives. These include mentorship programs (such as those led by entrepreneur Ruth Osebe Michoma), simplified documentation, and dedicated training on how to fill out tender forms .
AGPO-certified businesses receive specific financial advantages to level the playing field:
A significant amount. In the 2025/26 financial year, the government reserved Ksh 128.6 billion for AGPO groups. Women, youth, and PWDs are projected to earn approximately Ksh 54 billion from these tenders .
You have two options:
Yes. Various government bodies (like KeRRA – Kenya Rural Roads Authority) frequently hold free nationwide sensitization and training workshops. These cover registration procedures, compliance, and how to find tenders. Check local media or the PPRA website for schedules .
You can contact the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) directly:
According to the Murang’a South study, access was significantly lower for:
The study identified multiple levels of barriers:
The Ministry of Health directive now requires all healthcare facilities to conduct regular training and sensitization for staff on:
According to disability advocates and testimonies from the Deaf community:
Progress is being made through several initiatives:
A 2024 report highlighted serious gaps:
The Act, enacted in May 2025, introduces landmark provisions:
The Act is strict: “Any public or private institution that fails to comply shall have its license suspended until it meets the provisions”. Additionally:
Yes. Forced sterilization is explicitly prohibited under the Act and carries strict penalties. This aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which Kenya has ratified.
This remains an open question. The directive explicitly covers free services in Levels 2–4, but does not clearly state whether the same applies to Levels 5–6 (e.g., Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching & Referral Hospital). Disability advocates are pushing for clarification on whether referred services remain free at higher-level facilities.
Yes. The Constitution of Kenya (2010) under Article 54 and Article 55 mandates the State to ensure the progressive implementation of rights for PWDs, including affirmative action in economic programs like AGPO . Specifically, the legal framework for AGPO requires that for an enterprise to benefit as a PWD entity, the leadership shall be 100 percent persons with disabilities . Furthermore, governance structures are required to report to Parliament specifically on how they have complied with PWD inclusion .
Under the proposed Persons with Disabilities (Amendment) Bill, the National Government is obligated to develop policies and integrate PWDs into public service employment, while County Governments are legally obligated to:
The legal framework proposes the establishment of a County Committee for Persons with Disabilities in every county . This committee is structured to include representation from faith-based organizations and experts in disability programs. Its functions relevant to AGPO governance include:
The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) is the primary oversight body . However, the governance structure is multi-layered:
This is a governance violation. Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang recently called for a task force to probe fronting (where non-disabled individuals use PWD IDs to register companies). Under the Bribery Act (2016) , state officers who knowingly allow this manipulation must report it within 24 hours, or face prosecution . Fronting defeats the purpose of economic empowerment for actual PWDs.
While the law categorizes “Women” and “PWDs” separately, governance gaps exist. The UN Women program highlights that women with disabilities face “compounded barriers,” including inaccessible physical buildings (tender box locations) and complex digital platforms . Currently, the AGPO Act does not specifically mandate a sub-category for “Women with Disabilities,” but advocates like Ruth Osebe Michoma (a PWD entrepreneur) are pushing for governance reforms that include:
The Persons with Disabilities Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015 specifically proposes that “the relevant state agency shall not approve the construction of a road, building or premise if the plans do not include access for persons with disabilities” . If existing facilities are inaccessible, PWDs can file a complaint with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) or the PPRA for violation of their right to participate.
A: Yes. State Corporations like Kenya Railways and KeRRA (Kenya Rural Roads Authority) conduct nationwide sensitization forums specifically targeting PWDs. These forums cover:
: Under the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Regulations (2020) , an enterprise registered as a PWD-owned entity is entitled to the 30% preference for a period of 2 years, renewable biennially for a maximum of 10 years . This ensures that the leadership does not permanently remain in the “protected” category but graduates to mainstream status, allowing new PWD entities to enter the system.
The Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB) handles complaints regarding tender awards. Additionally, because AGPO is a constitutional right under Article 54 (right to economic participation), PWDs can seek redress in the High Court if they can prove a procuring entity failed to reserve the 2% quota for them .
The foundation rests on three pillars:
According to the Ministry of Health directive issued to the Council of Governors, registered persons with disabilities can access free medical services in all public health facilities Levels 2–4, including:
Note: Questions remain about coverage when a patient is referred to Level 5–6 (national referral) facilities.
Yes. The Ministry of Health directive explicitly affirms that all persons with disabilities must receive full, informed, and non-discriminatory SRHR services, including:
Additionally, the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025 mandates that youth with disabilities receive SRHR education on an equal basis with others.
A 2026 study conducted in Murang’a South among 325 women with disabilities (aged 15–49) found that while 67.69% accessed at least one SRHR service in the past year, access was highly uneven:
Yes. The Act and Ministry directive mandate:
Facilities must ensure accessible reporting mechanisms for SGBV incidents involving PWDs
During Kenya’s 4th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in May 2025, the government accepted several key SRHR recommendations, including commitments to:
However, Kenya noted (did not fully accept) recommendations on decriminalizing abortion and removing barriers for LGBTQ+ individuals.
The NCPWD is the primary enforcement body. Recent actions include:
Several reporting pathways exist:
