Influence of Public Procurement Process on Completion of Road Construction Projects in Kenya: a Case of Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Road construction sector has registered huge growth in the past decade, with massive projects being undertaken across the country in effort to upgrade the road infrastructure, to global standards and boost the economic growth. In advance to the commencement of any road construction project, prior planning operations have to take place in order to plan for the road construction and also identify the contractors who will undertake the actual construction works. Public procurement processes take precedence in the course of identification of the potential contractors and also lays down the framework for engagement throughout the course of the project. The research sought to find the influence of Public procurement on the completion of road construction projects in Kenya. researcher examined public procurement processes; needs identification, bids solicitation, bids evaluation and contract management and their impact on the road construction projects completion. The study adopted descriptive research methodology as the research design. Descriptive methodology was convenient for this research since it enabled the researcher to structure the data collection tools in a heterogeneity way to accommodate both qualitative and quantitative data aspects of the research tool. The target population comprised of the licensed road construction companies operating within Nairobi region and the ministry of roads and public works. The study was undertaken in Nairobi City County, motivated by the fact that the region has the highest concentration in the number of road construction projects being undertaken by the national government. The primary data collection tool used was questionnaire. The researcher sought opinions from the respondents on public procurement process and completion on roads construction. The study makes a finding that needs identification assists in the determination of all the critical project construction initiatives that are central to the timely completion of road construction projects. The study established that bids solicitation process offers the potential contractors opportunity to present their proposals on road construction laying down critical details on the way to deliver on the road construction project. The study found that, financial capitation and the overall determination of road construction budget in line with aspects of quality forms a critical basis in the bid evaluation process. The study established that that the approach and favorable model to management and administration of the road construction process is critical in the timely completion of a road construction projects. The study concludes procurement processes, including; needs identification, bids solicitation, bids evaluation and contract management wields significant influence on time completion of road construction projects. The study recommends that, qualified professionals should certify the needs identification process in project preplanning. The study also recommends that, financial components should form the primary qualification in bid solicitation and subsequent bid evaluation. Finally, the study, recommends for the adoption of a formal charter laying down agreeable rules of engagement throughout the period of project implementation