Public Procurement Laws Under Supply Chain in Kenya

Abstract

This paper examined Kenya’s public procurement laws under the supply chain, focusing on their design, implementation, and effectiveness in promoting transparency, competitiveness, and sustainability. Anchored in the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (PPADA) 2015 and supported by complementary statutes such as the Public Finance Management Act 2012, the Public-Private Partnerships Act 2013, and the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) framework, the legal regime aims to align procurement processes with constitutional requirements and national development priorities. Using a positivist research philosophy and cross-sectional survey design, data was collected from 667 top management personnel across 52 commercial state corporations. Findings indicate high awareness of procurement laws and significant adoption of affirmative action measures, yet enforcement effectiveness remains moderate. The study also identified challenges, including weak enforcement, bureaucratic delays, political interference, and limited integration of sustainability performance metrics. While the framework has standardized procurement processes and improved SME participation, gaps in monitoring and operationalization of sustainability objectives persist. The study concludes that strengthening oversight, simplifying procedures, and institutionalizing sustainability assessment tools are essential to fully realize the transformative potential of procurement laws in driving sustainable economic, social, and environmental outcomes in Kenya’s public supply chain system.

Keywords: Public Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (PPADA) 2015, Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO).