Kenya: The Kenya Ports Authority on Friday engaged with over 1,000 youths from Changamwe constituency, Mombasa County, during a youth congress. This gathering aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and access to government procurement opportunities.
Reportedly, the forum, held at Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Secondary, attracted a larger turnout of youths. Mainly the ones, who are eager to learn how public institutions allocate procurement opportunities under initiatives designed to promote inclusion.
Facilitators from the Authority outlined pathways through which young entrepreneurs can participate in government tenders. They noted that a significant portion of public procurement is reserved for the under-represented groups.
Under Kenyan law, 30% of government procurement is set aside for the special groups. Notably, the youth, women, and persons with disabilities. Principal officer supply chain management – Maurice Muya, walked the participants through the requirements and processes of accessing procurement opportunities.
Muya said that Kenya Ports Authority has embraced the policy, allocating 14% of its procurement opportunities to youth, another 14% to women, and 2% to persons with disabilities.
Furthermore, speaking at the forum, Principal Secretary, State Department for Youth Affairs & Creative Economy – Fikirini Jacobs praised the Authority’s support. He described the initiative as a practical step toward tackling youth unemployment.
The Principal Secretary Jacobs pointed to such programs as paramount to empower the young people to build sustainable livelihoods through entrepreneurship while also creating jobs for others.
On his part, the Changamwe Member of Parliament – Omar Mwinyi, promised to carry on with such a program, which serves as groundwork for long‑term social and economic stability.
Also, the organizers described the engagement as one of the most highly attended youth forums in the constituency. This underscored strong interest in government‑backed enterprise programs.
Such initiative by the Kenya Ports Authority underscores a growing commitment to youth empowerment through entrepreneurship and inclusive economic participation. By connecting young people with procurement opportunities, the congress not only fostered awareness but also opened pathways for sustainable livelihoods, positioning youth as key drivers of economic growth in Mombasa County.