Abstract:
Procurement represents one of the most critical functions in public institutions that ensure efficiency
in utilization of public resources as well as efficiency in service delivery. The procurement process involves
going into contract with the supplier and subsequently fulfillment of the contract. The administration of
procurement contracts is the sole responsibility of the procurement department. However in the recent past,
Public institutions in Kenya have lost billions of tax payer's money through annulled contracts, uncompleted
projects, unsupplied goods and services not provided, collusion in the tender evaluation and award, inadequate
training of the procurement staff especially on the technical fields, corruptions and extended contract periods.
The mismanagement of procurement contracts continues to be reported despite the enactment of the Public
Procurement laws and oversight bodies in place in Public Universities in Kenya. These points out to weaknesses
at the contract administration stage therefore prompting this study to assess the determinants of effective
procurement contract administration in Public Universities. The study specifically focused on the use of
information communication technology. The study was conducted among few selected Public Universities in
Kenya. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design where the procurement staff of public
universities was used to provide information on the influence of staff related factors and efficiency of contract
administration. The study target population comprised of 141 procurement staff who included senior
procurement officers, procurement officers, procurement assistants and clerks. A sample of 59 was selected
using stratified random sampling technique to provide information. Questionnaires were then be used to obtain
data from the respondents. Data analysis was performed using both descriptive and inferential statistics.
Descriptive statistics included frequency counts, percentages, mean, and standard deviation which were used to
summarize the findings. Multiple regression analysis was then used to determine the relationship between
variables. The study concluded that use of information communication technology has a statistically significant
influence on contract administration in public universities in Kenya. Additionally, the study concluded that a
unit increase in the use of information communication technology results in an increase in procurement contract
administration.