Effect of Visibility and Transparency on Procurement Performance in Baringo County Government, Kenya, East Africa

Abstract

Currently, Baringo County Government is grappling with weak procurement systems, inadequate documentation, absence of procurement plans, and poor cash flow planning, which, according to the Auditor General's report, have resulted in financial irregularities, stalled projects, and inefficiencies that compromise service delivery, transparency, and value for money in public procurement. Therefore, this study sought to determine the effect of visibility and transparency on procurement performance in Baringo County Government.  This study was guided by Edgar Schein's theory. The target population was 300 employees. The sample size for the study was 300 respondents. The study collected data using structured questionnaires. A pilot study was conducted in Elgeyo Marakwet County Government for the pilot study to ascertain the validity and reliability of the research instruments. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics with the aid of IBM SPSS Statistics version 24. Descriptive statistics were frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Inferential analysis was carried out through correlation and regression analysis to test the direct and indirect effects of the study variables. Results revealed that visibility and transparency have a positive and significant effect on the procurement performance (β1=0.427, p<0.05). It revealed that out of 300 questionnaires distributed, 247 were returned, resulting in a response rate of 82.33%. The regression findings showed an R² of 0.712 and an R-value of 0.844. The high linear correlation between the dependent and independent variables was indicated by the R-value of 0.844. The study concludes that procurement performance is enhanced through transparency, process integration, collaboration and technology use. The study recommends that Baringo County Government enhance transparency in procurement, integrate procurement with key functions like finance and expand the use of digital tools such as IFMIS systems. The study will be useful to county governments, procurement officers, policy makers and all the people in the society as it provides the knowledge that can help one to enhance the procurement performance with the help of integration and organisational culture.