BQ Correspondent 
- 17 Officials Found Practicing Without Proper Licenses in Recent KISM Compliance Checks
A recent series of compliance checks conducted by the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) on five prominent public institutions revealed shocking findings.
Among them, the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) had 12 officers, The Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya had 4, and the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) with one were flagged for employing a total of seventeen officers without the necessary licensure and registration to practice.
KISM now gears up to take the mandated legal steps to address this concerning lapse in compliance.
Speaking at a press briefing, KISM CEO, Mr. Kenneth Matiba noted that the consequences outlined in Section 32 of the Supplies Practitioners Management Act, 2007 states that “Any employer who employs an unregistered or unlicensed person as a Supply Chain Management practitioner shall be guilty of an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three (3) years or to both”.
(2) Where the employer provided in subsection (1) is a body corporate, the Chief Executive Officer of that corporation shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to the penalties provided in subsection (1).”
Stakeholders are therefore advised by the institute to prioritize compliance measures, reinforcing the integrity and professionalism of the supply chain management landscape. Failure to comply not only jeopardizes the individual’s standing but also risks the reputation and legal standing of the employing entity.
In the execution of its mandate the Institute highlighted that it has completed investigations, undertaken disciplinary proceedings, and rendered judgement for forty-five cases.
“The disciplinary action follows the filing of a complaint in July, 2022 and a further investigation by the Institute, which found that, during the period from January 2023 to December 2023, forty-four (44) supply chain practitioners in the County Government of Homabay and One (1) Case of a former employee of the County Government of Vihiga were practicing without a license, contrary to the provisions of Section 20 of the Supplies Practitioners Management Act, 2007,” read the statement.
The press release also emphasized that the Institute will publicize the judgments resulting from these disciplinary proceedings to send a strong message that KISM will take action against those who fail to comply with the requirement to obtain a license to practice as a supply chain practitioner and any violations of the SPMA.
“Out of the forty-four (44), two (2) were fined, 32 were severely reprimanded and eleven (11) judgement will be read on the 27th September, 2024.
As the institute continues to conduct compliance audits, investigation of professional misconduct and discipline practitioners, the Institute requests employers and members of the public to remain vigilant to ensure that only practitioners in good standing are practicing as supply chain management officers.”
The Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) is a statutory body established pursuant to Section 3 of the Supplies Practitioners Management Act (SPMA) No.17 of 2007.
The Mandate of the Institute inter alia is to train, register, license, discipline and regulate Supply Chain Management Practitioners in Kenya.
