Women in procurement and supply chain have been urged to transition from operational roles to strategic leadership positions to drive Kenya’s economic transformation and sustainability agenda.
Speaking at the close of a five-day Women in Procurement and Supply Chain Conference in Mombasa, Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department for Environment and Climate Change, Eng. Dr. Festus Ng’eno, emphasized that procurement must be repositioned from a transactional function to a key driver of national development.
Ng’eno said public procurement accounts for a significant share of Kenya’s GDP, making it a powerful tool for economic growth, efficient service delivery, and private sector competitiveness.
“Procurement systems sit at the heart of our economy. They determine how resources are mobilized, allocated, and utilized. We must, therefore, ensure women are not only participating but influencing decisions at the highest levels,” he said.
The PS underscored the need to move beyond inclusion to influence, calling for deliberate efforts to elevate women into executive and boardroom positions, where they can shape policy and governance.
He noted that despite existing policy frameworks such as the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) programme, women still face structural barriers, including limited access to finance, networks, and high value procurement opportunities.
“To unlock the full potential of women in this sector, we must strengthen leadership pipelines, expand access to finance, and create structured pathways for their participation in high value markets,” Ng’eno added.
The PS further linked procurement reforms to Kenya’s environmental and climate commitments, highlighting the importance of integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards and green procurement practices.
“As we transition to a green and climate-resilient economy, procurement must drive sustainable value chains, support low-carbon development, and promote innovation,” he said.
Ng’eno pointed out that women are already demonstrating leadership in sectors such as renewable energy, waste management, and sustainable production, aligning with national priorities including the National Climate Change Action Plan (2023–2027) and global commitments under the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.
He called for procurement systems to actively support these goals by embedding sustainability criteria and promoting women led enterprises in emerging green markets.
The Conference brought together key government officials, industry leaders, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening women’s participation and leadership in procurement.
Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) Chairperson, Jeniffer Cirindi, said the forum aimed to gather feedback and proposals from women professionals to inform policy and administrative reforms.
Cirindi noted that public procurement accounts for approximately 60 per cent of government expenditure, underscoring the critical role of inclusive participation in managing public resources.
She noted that resolutions from the Conference focused on enhancing affirmative action programmes, promoting supplier diversity, and advancing sustainable public procurement practices.
Additionally, the forum emphasized the need to professionalize the supply chain sector by empowering women to move from lower cadre roles to strategic leadership positions capable of influencing national policy.
Ng’eno reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting inclusive economic participation and climate-responsive procurement systems.
“This Conference must not end as a dialogue platform but mark the beginning of sustained action. We must move from commitments to implementation and from ambition to measurable results,” he said.
He encouraged women to take up leadership opportunities with confidence, stating that their contribution is critical to building resilient supply chains, strengthening institutions, and driving sustainable economic growth.
The Conference concluded with a call to stakeholders to institutionalize mentorship, expand market access for women-owned enterprises, and embed integrity, transparency, and sustainability at the core of procurement systems.
By Chari Suche
