CIPS kenya-event-feb-2015 REPORT

Leading global excellence in procurement and supply

Procurement Specialist Kenya-Group Report on First National Interactive Forum Saturday 21 February 2015

Nairobi University School of Business and Economics, Lower Kabete

380 Kenyan college students attended, 40 out of 100 from a procurement group mentored by FCIPS Laxminarayan Hariharan. The meeting which was initially planned to be of 100 students attracted about 380 Kenyan procurement and supply chain students who turned in big numbers, travelling by bus 6-12 hours to Nairobi city which was the main venue of the meeting. The speakers of the meeting included: 1. Dr.Harley Mutisya He is a senior lecturer at university of Nairobi, researcher and procurement consultant of PH logistics company, Kenya. Dr. Mutisya talked about:

Green procurement

Sustainability

E-Procurement He encouraged all members attending to be registered members of professional bodies, and undertake CIPS exams. He noted that CIPS fees are expensive for the Kenyan student but you gain value for your money. 2. Felix Muema MSc, FCIPS Kenya chair He talked of CIPS worldwide activities. He elaborated on CIPS levels such as MCIPS, FCIPS, Diploma Levels etc as well as what it takes to gain the levels. He explained on CIPS membership and exam registration fees. He encouraged the 380 students in attendance about professionalism and how we could raise ourselves by working smart improving ourselves in Kenya and globally. He talked of the opportunities that come with taking procurement as a course and more so CIPS giving relevant local examples, specifically pointing out that recently the president of Kenya appointed MCIPS Felic Koskei as the cabinet secretary of The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries in Kenyan government, apart from many other prominent Kenyans who have done procurement as a course and CIPS. Felix also mentioned steps that the Kenyan government is undertaking to reform the procurement sector. Citing the challenges experienced both in Kenya and Africa as a whole, stressing that best practice is the

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solution to Kenya. One of the challenges he mentioned was the number of procurement professionals in Kenya who are unemployed in Kenya. CIPS Kenya is engaging relevant authorities to reverse this trend. He revealed that CIPS group Africa is looking at possibilities of opening local country offices and Kenya may be a possible consideration, apart from considering affordable study guides and other reading materials which is currently a burden to Kenyan students in these hard economic times. He gave us reasons for the change of the CIPS name and the development of A ‘Chartered Member Grade - a post graduate level grade sitting beyond MCIPS’ also giving its importance and what such level demands . He urged all the 380 in attendance to remain firm CIPS members, register as members and sit for exams as there is a very bright future in the profession. He answered questions which the students had in regards to his presentation, he gave cash awards from the writing competition given by FCIPS Laxminarayan Hariharan to the eight who won among the twenty seven who participated on the topic; My vision for Kenya and my mission for myself and how I will enlighten myself. The winners in order of merit were: 1. Kevin Okoth Okinda 2. Brian Musanga 3. Adriel Mwigania 4. Moses Maina 5. Micah Sitawa 6. Mollene Atieno 7. Everline Chieta 8. Caleb Lebz He thanked his fellow FCIPS Laxminarayan Hariharan from Dubai who is a passionate mentor for the Kenyan group, CIPS UK, CIPS UAE, CIPS AFRICA and the Kenyan student organizers of the event .He asked the students to organize such more event s and CIPS will be involved. He promised that CIPS Africa will give certificates of attendance to all those who attended the forum. Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) KISM representative talked of procurement ethics in Kenya He discussed on the activities of KISM CIPS Training and Exam Centres in Nairobi The following training centers were represented: Oshwal Training Institute Easton Training Institute They both talked of their CIPS training programmes ,elaborating on exam fees, their tuition charges, exam charges and mode of payments as well as the scheduled times of sitting the exams . They mentioned where they are located in Nairobi and how they can be easily reached through their contacts and they encouraged all those in attendance to register as members of CIPS. Presentation Brian Musanga Mutie gave a presentational talk on supply chain risks and management. Members in groups discussed on those risks and current trends in procurement in Kenya.

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Students Reaction Indeed the 380 students who travelled by bus 6-12 hours to Nairobi appreciated so much the gain they made from attending the forum .At least they appreciated the information they gained on the CIPS. It’s worth noting that less than hundred students who attended the event really knew what CIPS stands for and what it does . They promised to start working towards engaging with CIPS .The information from FCIPS FELIX MUEMA and CIPS Nairobi training centres helped much. There are reports from all universities in attendance to want to host the next similar forum. Students are now eager and were inspired, encouraged and want to create change among themselves. They appreciated CIPS for accepting to engage with Kenyan students to create change in their profession. They want more of such forums. They invited the organizing committee to engage them more. The organizers of the forum included: 1. Kevin Okoth Okinda-Chair 2. Benard Mutai-Secretery 3. Brian Musanga 4. Maureen Zuhura 5. Clinton Odhiambo 6. Mical Lucky 7. Gitoho Njoroge They all took an active role in the organization of the meeting, plus other campus representatives. Thank you CIPS. Looking forward for working with you to raise professionalism in Kenya. Prepared with a lot of thanksgiving by, Kevin Okoth Okinda-Chair, Procurement Students, Kenya.

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