Factors Influencing Procurement Process in the Implementation of Utility Projects: a Case of Kisii – Ahero –isebania (A1) Lot 1 Road Project by Kenya National Highway Authority, Kisii County,kenya

Abstract

Public procurement often constitutes the largest domestic market in developing countries. Depending on how it is managed, the public procurement system can thus contribute to the economic development of these countries; it is because of this that the study aimed at determining Factors Influencing Procurement Process in the Implementation of Utility Projects: A Case of Kisii – Ahero –Isebania (A1) Lot 1 Road Project by Kenya National Highway Authority, Kisii County, Kenya, under the following objectives to establish the extent to which tendering duration influences tendering process, examine the extent to which ethical practices influences tendering process, to examine the extent to which records management influences tendering process and determine the extent to which ICT usages in tendering influences tendering Process in KENHA. The study was supported in both the theoretical and conceptual frameworks where the relationship between the variables was displayed. The study employed descriptive survey research design that was then subjected to a target population of 114, the sample size was then derived from the target population using census sampling methods that yielded still 114 member group of sample size. An analysis of how ethical practices influence tendering processes in Kenya was done and the findings revealed that 14(11%) and 38(27%) of the respondents strongly agree and agree that withdrawal of bids can be used to favor certain preferred entities or individuals; there was a significant difference between respondents who agreed, 56(44%) and those who disagreed at 20(16%) on the tendering process at KENHA being transparent with information equally available to all interested bidders; The findings indicate that most of the respondents at 40(31%) are undecided on whether use of IT in the tendering process enables KENHA to save on time and money in terms of operation costs- in disagreement were 17(13%) of the respondents who cited that the statement was a policy issue with set durations of tendering process. The study concluded KENHA administrations invest heavily in ICT and should keep the trading community informed about their investment objectives. An effective procurement begins well before a request for tenders is released. The procurement life cycle begins with strategic planning and continues through procurement and on into the planned obsolescence of both hardware and software. The study recommends that Equal opportunity when tendering is whereby any type of discrimination demoralizes interest in open tendering process and undermines any push to accomplish esteem for cash through open competition thus no officer should oppress any potential bidder based upon sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, physical incapacity or gathering affiliation in the open tendering process.