Public Procurement and Contract Monitoring

Public procurement is the process through which government and state-owned enterprises acquire goods, services, and works using public resources. Because procurement accounts for a significant share of taxpayers’ money, transparent, fair, competitive, and accountable procurement is essential for achieving value for money and ensuring effective delivery of public services. In Kenya, public procurement is governed primarily by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, with the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) playing a key regulatory role. The information pack explains the objectives and different methods of procurement, including open tendering, restricted tendering, direct procurement, requests for proposals and quotations, low-value procurement, and specially permitted procurement.

The pack also focuses on contract monitoring, which involves overseeing contracts to ensure that agreed terms, deliverables, quality standards, timelines, and financial obligations are met. Key monitoring activities include regular reporting, site visits and inspections, performance evaluation, dispute resolution, and financial oversight. It further introduces open contracting, which promotes public disclosure, participation, and accountability throughout the procurement cycle—from planning and tendering to contract award, implementation, and completion. Citizens can use procurement and contract information to monitor how public funds are spent, identify potential irregularities, advocate for quality goods and services, and exercise their constitutional rights to public participation and access to information.