NYS SCANDAL: Kabura firms registered as disadvantaged contractors
Seven of the 20 companies used to siphon Sh1.2 billion from the National Youth Service (NYS) are listed among those eligible for preferential access to government tenders, revealing how influential contractors are using the affirmative action policy to line their pockets with public funds.
The companies, all of them registered under the name of chief NYS scam suspect Josephine Kabura, are listed under the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) register of firms owned by marginalised groups and qualify for special access to government tenders.\
The Kabura firms are said to have received Sh1.29 billion from the NYS in a series of fraudulent transactions that took place in a span of two years.
Government institutions are legally required to set aside 30 per cent of total procurement for the youth, persons with disability and women-owned firms as part of an affirmative action policy to uplift the marginalised groups.
“It (AGPO) is affirmative action aimed at empowering youth, women and persons with disability-owned enterprises by giving them more opportunities to do business with Government,” the Treasury says in an official statement posted on its website.
Ms Kabura, who has been singled out as a key participant in the multi-billion shilling theft of public funds, is the owner of Tucking Stitch Emporium, Big Kent Company, Critical Mass Electrical, Essential Prodigy Trading, Reinforced Concrete Technologies, Roof and All Trading, and Form Home Builders – all of which are listed in the AGPO register.
Former President Mwai Kibaki initiated the AGPO programme to help youth from disadvantaged families set up businesses and compete for government tenders.
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SOURCE: Business Daily
