Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: A Case for Public Procurement Bid Disputes Management In Kenya

Abstract

Abstract The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion. The SDG 5 promote gender equality while SDG 10 advocate for reduced inequalities. Public procurement has grown to become a critical means of helping governments achieve political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and even legal policy objectives. The objective of this paper was to assess equality, diversity and inclusion in management of bid disputes in Kenya. Content analysis of all the bid dispute cases heard and determined by Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB) between 2011 and 2020 was conducted. In addition, request for review procedures and guiding laws were also reviewed. Analysis of descriptive data supported by deductive reasoning was thereafter conducted. It was established that request for review filing procedures in Kenya do not favour would be applicants especially those falling in the categories of youth, women, people living with disabilities and MSMEs. The paper has made contribution to body of knowledge regarding management of public procurement bid disputes in Kenya. The paper recommended that policy review be initiated to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in management of bid disputes.