DETERMINANTS OF PROCUREMENT PERFORMANCE IN JUDICIARY DEPARTMENT AT THE NAKURU LAW COURTS, KENYA

Abstract

In many countries, 60% of quality systems in public procurement have not delivered expected benefits. This study assessed determinants of procurement performance in Judiciary Department at the Nakuru Law Courts. The study focused on procurement planning and staff competency. Agency, Transaction cost and Resource Based View theories were adopted. Descriptive research design was used with a target population of 160 employees (senior managers, head of departments, procurement officers and suppliers). Stratified random sampling was used to sample 62 participants who were administered with a structured questionnaire. Collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with aid of SPSS version 23. Findings showed procurement planning was adequately budgeted (mean=3.600), poor procurement planning was a major setback in cost estimation (mean=4.033), lack of professionalism caused non-compliance to procurement laws (mean=3.733), effective procurement activities depend on skills and experience of the © Mesa, Kwasira & Waweru Licensed under Creative Common Page 312 employees (mean=3.567).A strong correlation exists between procurement planning (r=.761), staff competency (r=.725) and procurement performance. The study concluded that proper procurement planning determines the success of service delivery; employees were regularly trained on procurement procedure. The study recommended that adequate resources should be provided for procurement planning, professionalism should be enhanced for compliance to procurement laws.