How to join KEPSA

As a business owner, you can capitalize on business opportunities by joining business networks such as the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) that can offer you leverage over your competitors.

KEPSA was founded in 2003 to bring together business community in a single voice to engage and influence public policy for an enabling business environment.

The body represents over 100, 000 business community members in trade, investment and industrial relations. Other than government participation which is very steadfast, benefits of joining the organization include access to a wealth of information and resources, professional growth and prosperity as well as opportunities to reach international investors and markets.

The alliance has been mandated by the Government of Kenya to implement the Kenya Youth Empowerment Project (KYEP) as well as the Component on Private Sector Training and Internships.

Their membership is categorised into Corporate and BMO Membership. The asking rates for the membership categories are as follows-:

Corporate Membership – Category 1 – Ksh. 1,000,000
Corporate Membership – Category 2 – Ksh. 500,000
Corporate Membership – Category 3 – Ksh. 250,000
Corporate Membership – Category 4 – Ksh. 150,000
BMO Membership – Ksh. 100,000

Rules to membership are as follows
1. New Members will be required to pay a one-time joining fee of Ksh.10,000/=
2. Membership runs from January to December of every year.
3. Subscriptions received by 31st January attract a discount of 5%.
4. Normal rates apply from february to december
5. Members who will have not paid up by 31st march (at least a deposit) will miss out on being active members
6. Subscriptions can be prorated for members who join within the year
7. Installment payments are acceptable
You can apply to be a member through their online application form here.

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Why Kenyan Businesses Should not Ignore AGPO

business opportunities

1. One will be able to participate in the 30 percent of government tenders that have been set aside for youth, women and persons with disability through AGPO.
2. Accessibility to credit/loan facilities namely LPO/LSO financing from the Youth Enterprise Development fund.
3. A participant in a tender will be excluded from the requirement to get a bid bond and will instead fill in and sign a tender securing declaration form.
4. Where delay of payments for works performed are likely to happen, a procuring entity may facilitate invoice discounting arrangements with a financial institution for the purpose of advancing credit to the affected enterprises.

 

How did AGPO come about?

In February 2012, His Excellency the Retired President, Hon. Mwai Kibaki directed that 10% of all Government contracts be earmarked and awarded to the youth. The Policy directive was informed by the Government’s realization that in order to meaningfully address the issue of youth unemployment. It is necessary to give them opportunities to participate in government contracts and tenders.

In 2013,His Excellency the President Uhuru Kenyatta, pledged that the procurement rules would be amended to allow 30 per cent of contracts to be given to the youth, women and persons with disability without competition from established firms. His Excellency the President directed that the issue of 30 per cent allocation of all Government procurement to the youth should be adhered to, warning those who will fail to effect the directive will be sacked.

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How to get access to Kenyan Government Tenders

Step 1 – Register a business enterprise at the Attorney General’s Office in the form of a sole proprietorship business, partnership business, limited company or a co-operative. The enterprise owned by youth, women or persons with disabilities shall be a legal entity that—
(a) is registered with the relevant government body; and
(b) has at least seventy percent membership of youth, women or persons with disabilities and the leadership shall be one hundred percent youth, women and persons with disability, respectively.
Step 2 – If business is a partnership, get a partnership deed from a lawyer, if it is a limited company a CR12 from the registrar of business names and for a co-operative, its constitution and membership.
Step 3 – Acquire a PIN and tax compliance/ tax exemption certificate from the Kenya Revenue Authority website or offices.
Step 4 – Acquire all required certifications from professional bodies and authorities such as National Construction Authority, Insurance Regulatory Authority, ICPAK, LSK, National Council for Persons with Disability, NEMA, ERC and all other authorized bodies.
Step 5 – Open a bank account for the business and acquire a bank reference from the bank.
Step 6 – Access the website www.agpo.go.ke and register online or visit your county government headquarters and register there.

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