The journey began in 2023 with a high-level inaugural forum at Emara Ole Sereni, convened under the patronage of the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service. Here, Kenya’s top procurement leaders confronted the growing crisis of unlicensed practice. The outcome was the historic Emara Declaration, committing all practitioners to mandatory registration and licensing under the Supplies Practitioners Management Act (SPMA), 2007. This marked a shift from aspiration to enforcement, signalling a new era of professional accountability.
The Second Edition, held at Sarova Whitesands, Mombasa, expanded this momentum, bringing together over 300 delegates from ministries, counties, development partners, and the private sector. The conversation sharpened around ethics, accountability, and procurement’s role in combating corruption. It reframed procurement as not just a technical function, but a strategic safeguard for public trust and national integrity.

This year’s theme, “Restoring Public Trust: Procurement Leadership for National Transformation”

The primary objectives of this heads of procurement on supply chain management in Kenya are:

1.  Enhance the strategic leadership capabilities of Heads of Procurement in Kenya to develop and implement proactive measures for supply chain resilience.
2. Foster collaborative partnerships and knowledge-sharing among procurement leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and other stakeholders to address systemic supply chain challenges
3. Advocate for policy reforms and regulatory changes that create an enabling environment for the development of resilient and sustainable supply chains.
4. Establish a knowledge-sharing platform and community of practice for Heads of Procurement in Kenya to continue their professional development and support each other in navigating future disruptions.
5. Leveraging the capabilities within Procurement to turbocharge efficiency to the intended customer/ to the last mile.
6. Leverage technology to deliver the right service.
7. Democratizing procurement data to build accountability

• Global Trends in SCM
• Ethics & Professionalism in PSCM
• SDGs, Social Development and Philosophy in SCM
• Inclusivity in Procurement & Supply Chain Management
• Digital Divide, Technologies and Innovations in PSCM
• Empowering Women-Owned Enterprises in the East African Region
• 21st Century Trends in Private Sector Procurement
• Socioeconomic impact of local content in Kenya: Buy Kenya Build Kenya Initiative
• Procurement Audit
• Pitfalls in Public Procurement-Case Studies
• Procurement Under Devolved Government Structures-The opportunities, challenges and remedies
• Farmer-led Supply Chain Models as Accelerators to Global Trade
• Diagnosis and Solutions to Challenges Facing PSCM in Kenya
• Impactful Resource Mobilization in PSCM
• Successful Value Chains: Case Studies
• Transforming Social Economic Status in Africa: Case Study

By the end of the conference, the organizers and participants expect to achieve the following outcomes:

1. Increased awareness and understanding among Heads of Procurement in Kenya about the strategic importance of procurement in stabilizing supply chains, particularly in the face of global shocks and disruptions.
2. Enhanced capacity of Heads of Procurement to develop and implement effective strategies for building agile, responsive, and sustainable supply chains, drawing from best practices and innovative approaches.
3. Strengthened collaborative networks and partnerships among procurement leaders, policymakers, industry associations, and other stakeholders to address systemic supply chain challenges in a coordinated manner.
4. Identification of actionable recommendations and policy proposals to support the development of a regulatory environment that fosters supply chain resilience in Kenya.
5. Establishment of a post-conference knowledge-sharing platform and community of practice that enables ongoing learning, sharing of
   experiences, and continued professional development for Heads of Procurement in Kenya.
6. Increased visibility and recognition of the procurement function as a strategic driver of organizational resilience and competitive advantage within the Kenyan business landscape.

The conference targets representatives from all procuring units from private, public, and non-governmental organizations, executives, supply chain and procurement professionals, consultants, technology innovators, startups, government officials, policymakers, industry experts, academia, regulatory authorities/bodies, financial institutions, and corporate leaders.

By targeting this diverse audience, the conference will foster cross-functional collaboration, enable the exchange of best practices, and provide a comprehensive platform for addressing the strategic challenges faced by procurement professionals in stabilizing supply chains in Kenya.