FACTORS AFFECTING ADOPTION OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE-PARTNERSHIP IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF UASIN GISHU, KENYA
Kennedy Omondi Okwaro - Master of Science in Procurement and Contracting Management, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Dr. Joel Chepkwony - Lecturer, Department of Entrepreneurship and Procurement, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Dr. Rose Boit - Lecturer, Department of Entrepreneurship and Procurement, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to find out the factors affecting the adoption of Public Private Partnership in County Government of Uasin Gishu, Kenya. The specific objective were; to determine influence of government policies, to assess the effect of investors’ perceptions on public private partnership, to examine effect of employees’ skills on public private partnership and to establish the effect of institutional capacity on the adoption of Public Private Partnership in Uasin Gishu County. This was grounded majorly on two theories namely; Rational Choice Theory and Principal Agent theory. The target population was 365 and consisted of 10 CECMs, 10 Chief Officers, 30 Department Directors and 13 Supply Chain Management Officers. The study also included 302 prequalified infrastructure contractors of Uasin Gishu County. The sample size was 233. The study adopted descriptive research design, in which both stratified and simple random sampling techniques was utilized. Questionnaires of structured and unstructured question were used in data collection. Questionnaires were self-administered by the researcher after performing reliability test using test and re-test technique. Analysis was done by the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. The study adopted both descriptive and inferential statistical methods such as multiple regression analysis. The findings were presented using descriptive statistical technique that included frequencies and percentages. The study found that the County government had not formulated policies and procedure on the implementation of PPP procurement, thus has affected the adoption of PPP procurement; majority of the investors have no confidence in the county procurement process which may have hindered their interest in the adoption of PPP procurement; lack of confidence among the county employees in PPP procurement decision making may have affected adoption of PPP procurement negatively in the county. There is need for enhancement of good governance at the county government level, transparency and control of malpractices and corruption especially in tendering process and contract management of infrastructural projects which is one of the challenges to PPP procurement adoption. PPP Unit at the national treasury in conjunction with the County Government of Uasin Gishu should organize continuous trainings, workshops and conferences for both public and private sectors, especially public sector employees in the county departments on PPP procurement to enhance their PPP capabilities, thus to broaden their PPP knowledge. The County leadership should invest in building on strong governance and stable regulatory system in the adoption of PPP procurement.
