Kenya cites need for procurement training

Train staff on procurement

The revelation that many government officials are ignorant of laws that govern public procurement is a matter of grave concern. Over 70 per cent of the government recurrent budget is spent on procurement, so it is worrying how such personnel will be of help to our usually cash-strapped ministries and agencies.

This situation calls for measures to ensure senior government officials are schooled on the correct procedures of purchasing goods and services. The taxpayers want to see goods delivered, health services provided, classrooms built, water reliably availed and within budget and in required quantities and quality.

It is important that staff tasked to oversee public procurement cultivate the culture of honesty and avoid conflicts of interest. We expect them to refrain from using their positions for their own gain or that of their associates.

Short of that, we have cases where procurement officers inflate prices of goods and services, which is the same thing as robbing the government or indeed, the taxpayer.

Procurement provides ethical challenges because decisions and choices that the relevant officers make affect the entire public sector. In public procurement, the value for money entails more than just getting the best price – ethics are of great importance as well.

Reports that there is little understanding of procurement procedures among many of our public officials should be addressed as a matter of utmost urgency.