Principal Secretary for Public Investments and Asset Management Cyrell Odede has challenged procurement professionals to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability, saying ethical public procurement remains one of the strongest safeguards against the misuse of public resources.
Speaking while presiding over the closing ceremony of the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) Council Retreat in Naivasha, Nakuru County, Odede said the country’s procurement sector must continually evolve to meet emerging governance challenges while delivering greater value for taxpayers.
The retreat brought together members of the KISM Council and key stakeholders to deliberate on reforms aimed at strengthening the institute and the procurement profession. Among the key documents reviewed were the Draft General Regulations under the Supplies Practitioners Management Act, Council and Committee Charters, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Guidelines, and the policy framework for the proposed Kenya College of Supply Chain Management.
Odede described the policy review process as a significant milestone in modernising Kenya’s procurement ecosystem, noting that the decisions made during the retreat would shape the profession for years to come.
“Procurement professionals occupy a strategic position in both public and private institutions. Every procurement decision has a direct bearing on the quality of services delivered to citizens and on the prudent use of public resources,” the PS said.
He urged the institute to remain steadfast in promoting ethical leadership, professionalism, transparency and accountability, saying these values are indispensable in restoring public confidence in procurement systems.
According to Odede, the governance and policy instruments currently under review must be practical, enforceable and responsive to the rapidly changing procurement environment, particularly as government institutions embrace digital procurement systems, performance-based contracting and greater public accountability.
The PS further challenged the KISM Council to fast-track the establishment and strengthening of the Kenya College of Supply Chain Management, saying the institution has the potential to become a regional centre of excellence in procurement education and professional development.
He said the college should equip practitioners with globally competitive skills while supporting the Government’s broader agenda of institutional capacity building, professional excellence and skills development.
“The future of procurement lies in continuous learning, innovation and adherence to global best practices. The Kenya College of Supply Chain Management should become a hub for producing professionals capable of meeting both national and international standards,” Odede noted.
The PS reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working closely with KISM to strengthen governance structures within the profession and ensure procurement remains a catalyst for sustainable national development.
His remarks come at a time when the Government has intensified reforms aimed at enhancing transparency in public spending through initiatives such as electronic government procurement (e-GP), stricter oversight mechanisms and professionalisation of procurement practice.
Kenya has increasingly placed procurement at the centre of public financial management reforms, recognising that effective supply chain management is critical to infrastructure delivery, healthcare, education and other essential government services. Public procurement accounts for a significant proportion of government expenditure, making professionalism and ethical conduct among procurement practitioners vital in combating corruption and ensuring value for money.
Established under the Supplies Practitioners Management Act, the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management is mandated to regulate and develop the procurement and supply chain profession in Kenya through training, certification, research and enforcement of professional standards.
Odede said the Government will continue supporting KISM’s efforts to strengthen institutional governance and professional excellence, expressing confidence that the reforms under consideration would position the institute to better serve both its members and the country.
“The stewardship of public resources demands unwavering integrity. By strengthening governance, investing in professional development and embracing innovation, we can build procurement systems that inspire public trust and accelerate Kenya’s socio-economic transformation,” he said.
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