Kenya’s ongoing efforts to strengthen public procurement, enhance accountability and improve the management of public assets have received a major continental boost after Principal Secretary for the State Department for Public Investments and Assets Management, Dr. Cyrell Wagunda Odede, formally received the Public Sector Procurement and Asset Management Leader of the Year Award.
The prestigious accolade follows Dr. Odede’s recognition during the 8th Africa Procurement and Supply Chain Summit and Awards 2026 held in Lagos, Nigeria, where procurement professionals, policymakers and public finance experts from across the continent gathered to celebrate excellence in procurement, supply chain management and public sector governance.
The award places Kenya among African nations making significant strides in reforming public procurement systems, embracing transparency and promoting prudent management of public investments and state assets.
Speaking after officially receiving the award, PS Cyrell Odede dedicated the recognition to the staff of the State Department for Public Investments and Assets Management and the department’s stakeholders, saying the honour reflected the collective effort invested in transforming Kenya’s public financial management systems.
“I am deeply honoured by this recognition, which I dedicate to the dedicated team at the State Department for Public Investments and Assets Management and all our stakeholders. The award reflects our collective commitment to strengthening public procurement systems, enhancing accountability and ensuring the prudent management of public investments and assets in line with the Government’s development agenda,” Dr. Cyrell Odede said.
Dr. Odede noted that public procurement remains one of the most critical pillars of government operations, accounting for a substantial proportion of public expenditure and directly influencing the quality of service delivery to citizens. She observed that robust procurement systems are essential in ensuring that public funds are utilized efficiently while safeguarding integrity in government spending.
She reaffirmed the State Department’s commitment to advancing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, efficiency and accountability across all government procurement processes.
“As we continue implementing key reforms, I reaffirm my commitment to promoting transparency, efficiency, integrity and value for money in the utilization of public resources. Effective procurement and asset management remain critical pillars of sound public financial management and the successful delivery of Government programmes that improve the lives of Kenyans,” Dr. Odede stated.
Her remarks come at a time when the government is accelerating reforms in public finance management through strengthened oversight, digital procurement systems and enhanced asset management frameworks designed to improve efficiency and eliminate wastage in public spending.
Analysts have consistently argued that effective procurement and asset management are indispensable to achieving fiscal discipline, curbing corruption and ensuring government projects deliver maximum value to taxpayers. The reforms are also expected to strengthen investor confidence by demonstrating Kenya’s commitment to sound governance and prudent management of public resources.
During the ceremony, PS Cyrell Odede also lauded the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) Directorate after it received the Collaborative Governance Award in Public Procurement, recognizing its contribution to advancing innovative financing models for infrastructure development and improved public service delivery.
“This achievement demonstrates Kenya’s growing leadership in public sector governance and our shared commitment to delivering sustainable national development through effective management of public resources,” Dr. Odede said while congratulating the PPP Directorate.
The recognition of both the State Department and the PPP Directorate underscores Kenya’s growing influence in shaping best practices in public procurement and governance across Africa. It also reflects the country’s commitment to implementing reforms that strengthen accountability, improve efficiency and ensure value for money in the management of public investments.
For Dr. Cyrell Odede, the continental honour is not only a personal milestone but also an affirmation of the government’s broader agenda to modernize procurement systems and reinforce public confidence in the stewardship of national resources.
As Kenya continues implementing ambitious development programmes, efficient procurement and prudent asset management are expected to remain central to the realization of sustainable economic growth and improved service delivery for all Kenyans.
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