STRATEGIC PROCUREMENT PRACTICES, PUBLIC PROCUREMENT LAW AND SERVICE DELIVERY OF COUNTY GOVERNMENTS IN WESTERN REGION, KENYA.

Abstract

The framers of the Public Procurement Law envisaged to streamline how public procurement should be conducted so as to realize value for money in public procuring entities. Strategic procurement practices enables organizations gain competitive advantage by contributing towards achievement of organizations strategic goals. The primary aim of the research thus was in establishing the effect of Strategic Procurement Practices, Public Procurement Law and Service Delivery of County Governments in Western Region, Kenya. The specific goals were to determine the effect of strategic procurement planning, information technology, green procurement on service delivery and to further investigate the moderating effect of Public Procurement Law. As such issues have arisen as a result of counties failure to observe strategic procurement practices such as misuse of public funds which have been cited as a key obstacle to achieving socioeconomic progress of which an estimated 50% is tied to public procurement practices adopted. The study was underpinned by a positivist research philosophy and was conducted in the western Region, Kenya in the counties of Kakamega County, Busia County, Vihiga County, and Bungoma County. The study's target population of 228 officials was broken down into chief officers, directors, in charge finance, and in charge procurement. Utilizing stratified random sampling, the study selected 174 participants as its sample. Primary data was gathered through interview schedules and surveys. Through a pilot study test for validity and reliability was ascertained. The data analysis made use of both descriptive and inferential statistics. SPSS version 26 was used to analyse quantitative data while qualitative data was analysed thematically alongside study objectives. Strategic procurement planning, Information Technology and Green procurement were found to be significant predictors of service delivery in county governments. The study came to the conclusion that service delivery is influenced by strategic procurement practices. The study recommended for the need to timely formulate strategic procurement plans by the county governments, investment in information technology infrastructure since it is a crucial resource and the need to ensure enforcement and adherence to environmental laws and policies. Organizations, firms, Business entities, both National and County Governments, scholars and supply chain stakeholders will benefit from the knowledge contribution of the current study as the strategic procurement practices have demonstrated ability to improve service delivery if adopted since it improves on service delivery