Effects of public procurement practices on procurement performance of constituency development fund projects in kwale county government of Kenya

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of public procurement practices on procurement performance of CDF projects in Kwale County government in Kenya. Procurement professionals have always walked on a tight rope in order to implement objectives and goals. Their ability to accomplish these procurement objectives and policies indicate that procurement officials are influenced by political, legal- internal and external factors. The tendering process can be a minefield of potential litigation without proper procedures and regulations, where contractors complain of the lack of a fair and consisted approach to tendering and accusation of favoritism and corruption. Public procurement is a major development mechanism, the potential which has not been fully designed in pursuit of value for money and efficiency in the use of public funds. The purpose is to support the attainment of high economic growth and ensure delivery of service. The reform strategy for economic development was not achieved without the participation of community in transparency and accountability in delivery of non-core public service. The study was based on procurement competencies, e-procurement, procurement ethics and supplier relationships as specific objectives. The study targeted 206 respondents from various departments and Kwale county residents. The study employed governance and performance theory, corporate culture theory and supply chain management theory. Descriptive research design was employed to formulate the best methodology to be used. A pilot study on the questionnaire was done in order to validate the questionnaire and correct any errors which may have been made. The sample size for the study was 136 derived using slovin formula. Secondary data was collected from both published and unpublished records. Data screening was done to identify any missing data and it will further be tested for reliability. Reliability was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha. Inferential statistics such as Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analysis was used for further analysis. Data was analyzed using statistical packaging social sciences software (SPSS) version 22 to find the relationships and averages of the data in addition to tabular presentations for understandable presentation. From the finding procurement staff competencies was believed to be a vital catalyst for the ethical conduct of the entire procurement staff in the counties. E-procurement is one of the procurement practices which includes activities such as e-ordering, e-sourcing and e-payment in the procurement practices horizon where the entire county should put more concentration during formulation. Basing on the results, it is recommended that, the county government should continue with such activities of providing adequate training and seminars to the staff to enhance their competencies. However based on the results other studies are recommended on procurement staff competencies which are viable for the research. The study recommends the county government to invest more in electronic procurement transformation to reduce cost and reduce time in procurement transactions which is big win for the counties all the county. The study recommends that county government leaders, managers and other corporate professional players have significant role of ensuring that they formulate viable procurement strategies and practices that initiate performance for the entire organizations.