Hard work and determination are often the catchwords for those who have made it in life despite many odds. But for Dr Evance Ochieng Ongati, resilience and determination can yield fruit despite the surrounding environment.
At only 39 years old, Dr Ongati was among the youngest graduates to earn a doctor of philosophy in procurement and supply management.
His Thesis Research was on the moderating effect of Electronic Data Interchange on the relationship between integrated transportation and supply chain performance of large-scale manufacturing firms in Kenya, after which he graduated from Maseno with great honours.
The fresh PhD holder had earlier graduated with a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management from Maseno University, and also a Bachelor of Business Administration (Supply Chain Management option) from the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
Dr Ongati was also among the 20 people in the country to have recently attained a PhD in the rare field from Maseno University.
The don was so mesmerised that he could hardly hold back his happiness at the end of his long and gruelling academic journey, right to the top.
The soft-spoken PhD holder traces his early education to Karachuonyo in Homa Bay.
Later, he says, he went to Gendia High School in Homa Bay County, but later switched to Maliera Secondary School in Siaya County, where he completed his form four education.
Dr Ongati says he could not pursue further education due to financial difficulties, but this did not deter him from his quest.
Drawing his inspiration from Dr Ben Carson, who is a renowned American neurosurgeon, author, and politician whose life and times were turbulent, Dr Ongati narrows in on one of his quotes, which says, “Success is determined not by whether or not you face obstacles, but by your reaction to them. And if you look at these obstacles as a containing fence, they become your excuse for failure. If you look at them as a hurdle, each one strengthens you for the next.”
Dr Ongati contends that Carson never gave up in life despite enormous challenges, so he immediately ventured into the sale of stationery supplies in Kisumu town and its environs.
Applying the same principles, Dr Ongati says he, at one stage, earned some 400,000/-, part of which he registered at the Kenya Institute of Management in Kisumu, where he started studying procurement and supply chain management.
Dr Ongati says he later attended Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), where he pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Supply Chain Management option, and later a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management from Maseno University.
Dr Ongati says he was not deterred and went all out, pursuing a PhD in Supply Chain Management at the same institution.
The gallant student says he owes some of his success to his uncle, Professor Omollo Ongati, who he says has greatly supported him.
He says it is he and Professor Ongati who have achieved this feat among their clan members.
Dr Ongati says he dedicates his PhD to his father, the late Ongati, and his wife, Angela.
His next target is to become a professor, which he says will enable him to develop further his ability to formulate policies and concepts, coupled with research.
Dr Ongati has also worked at the County Government of Homa Bay, where he was involved in formulating and reviewing procurement policies, strategies, regulations and procedures.
Dr Ongati has also undertaken several academic and professional ventures throughout his long and winding academic journey.
Some of them include the Role of integrated Transportation in Supply Chain Management. Others include the Effect of Electronic Data Interchange on Supply Chain Performance among manufacturing firms in Kenya.
Dr Ongati has also been trained in the Strategies for Enforcing Appropriate Values in Public Service—Corporate Governance Course at the Kenya School of Government, Lower Kabete Campus, Nairobi.
Furthermore, he has been trained in Harnessing Human Resources for Peak Performance.
Senior Management Course
Dr Ongati says he has also been trained in building customer relationships through community involvement.
Others, he says, include Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting, as well as being trained in project monitoring and evaluation and in effective, timely reporting.
Performance Appraisal Systems course.
He has also been trained in appraisal skills and in general staff management for service delivery.\Other fields of training include the Kenya Institute of Supplies and Management (KISM).
Dr Ongati has also successfully participated in the development of policies, regulations, and operational guidelines on resource mobilisation, ensuring alignment with the County Government’s goals. He has demonstrated strong coordination skills in organising and conducting donor briefings, resulting in increased engagement and support from external stakeholders.
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He has also actively participated in the development and review of policies, guidelines, and regulations related to partnership engagement and funding procedures.
The don has also coordinated collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to identify strategic priorities and align initiatives with the Homa Bay County Government. He has been involved in the Preparation of annual budgets and proposals with reference to procurement plan, in addition to providing leadership and management of the County’s strategic public participation processes to drive growth and development.
My other duties included ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, as well as incorporating best practices to enhance the County’s operational efficiency and effectiveness.’ He says.
Others, he says, include assessing all employee department-related matters related to goods and services. Assessing budgets to minimise expenses and optimise profits, and effectively preparing reports on all devolved functions at the ward level.
Dr Ongati insists that he possesses outstanding conceptual and writing skills and has written several articles in both local and international platforms.
He is focused and willing to assume increased responsibility. Skilful at processing data and information, keeping records and tabulations. I participated in drafting Kenya’s public procurement regulations and standard tender documents, among others.
Other qualities he has include Proficiency in the Use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems and overseeing their implementation at KIE L; competence in onsite planning and operations; proficiency in introductory computer skills; and knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Dr Ongati says he will be eyeing the Kisumu East constituency seat, where he intends to improve education standards.
ccording to the don, it is only the area which does not have a model school and an extra county school.
He laments that early pregnancies and school dropouts are the norm.
Dr Ongati says such issues must be addressed within the bottom-up economic transformation agenda.
The don at Kibabi University says he spends time with his family and likes Gospel Music. His favourite meal is Fish and Ugali, and he is also an avid reader.
By Fredrick Odiero
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