Influence of Procurement Records Management on Procurement Performance of Nakuru County Government

Procurement performance is an essential function of County Governments in Kenya, as it enables them to acquire the goods, works, and services needed to deliver public services to citizens. However, County Governments including Nakuru County have been facing significant procurement performance challenges. Therefore, the study sought to determine the influence of procurement record management on the procurement performance of the Nakuru County Government. The study was anchored on the record lifecycle theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The unit of observation was 35 procurement and 47 finance officers working in the 10 county departments in the County Government of Nakuru. The census technique was adopted to incorporate all the targeted respondents. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire. A pilot test was conducted at Kericho County, where 8 questionnaires were issued to the procurement officers. The study collected both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Data collected from the structured questions was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics involved the use of percentages, frequencies, means, and standard deviations. Inferential statistics involves the use of correlation analysis and multiple regression analyses. Qualitative data from the interview schedules was analyzed using thematic analysis. After analysis, quantitative data was presented in the form of tables for easy interpretation, while qualitative data was presented in prose form. The study found that procurement record management had a positive and statistically significant effect on public procurement performance in the County Government of Nakuru, Kenya. The study recommended that the County Government should continue and possibly expand pre-tendering practices. Furthermore, the County Government should uphold the multi-criteria approach during tendering, emphasizing value for money and considering factors beyond just the lowest price.