Procurement experts and lawmakers have called for urgent legislative reforms to strengthen Kenya’s public procurement framework, warning that delayed payments to suppliers continue to undermine service delivery and erode public trust.
The call was made during the fifth edition of the Heads of Procurement Officers Forum, hosted by the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) in Mombasa, which brought together senior officials from Parliament, the Senate, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Public-Private Partnerships Directorate.
KISM Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Matiba said the forum aimed to elevate the profile of supply chain professionals while strengthening collaboration with oversight institutions.
“The idea here is to have conversations with the justice actors, oversight institutions, and players within the space of public financial management so that we can elevate the position of supply chain professionals in our country,” Matiba said.
KISM National Chairperson Jennifer Cirindi said the Institute was pushing for reforms to ensure procurement, whether public or private, is handled by accountable professionals who deliver value for money to citizens.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, who sits in the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, said discussions had focused on four key areas: legislative amendments, policy adjustments at national and county level, efficiency and fairness in procurement, and strengthened oversight mechanisms.
“Everyone agrees that we are not trying to fault-find, but what we want to do is make sure that procurement is smooth, efficient and fair,” Amollo said.
Homa Bay Senator Moses Otieno Kajwang’, who chairs the Senate’s Public Accounts Committee, disclosed that procurement processes account for 60 percent of government expenditure, underscoring the sector’s weight in public financial management.
He said reforms should push the profession beyond mere budget compliance toward genuine value for money.
Kajwang’ cited pending bills as a major concern affecting suppliers at both national and county levels, noting that delayed payments have left service providers waiting years for compensation despite proper documentation.
“There is no reason why somebody should wait for three years to be paid,” Kajwang’ said, adding that lawmakers were working to close gaps between procurement and payment to guarantee timely settlement for citizens who supply goods and services to the government.
He urged KISM to embrace data analytics, propose legislative amendments and take disciplinary action against errant members, while building stronger ties with EACC and Parliament.
Presidential Special Advisor on Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihoods Jaoko Oburu credited the 2005 Public Procurement and Disposal Act, enacted under the Coalition Government, with transforming a previously unregulated sector. He praised KISM for professionalizing the industry through member registration and continued advocacy.
“Without procurement, there’s no empowerment,” Oburu said, urging continued reforms to ensure ordinary Kenyans feel the direct benefits of an efficient procurement system.
By Ramadhan Nassib
