Hard work and resilience are often cited as the backbone of success, but for Dr Evance Ochieng Ongati, the saying is more than a cliché; it is the story of his life. At just 39, Dr Ongati has risen from humble beginnings to become one of only 20 Kenyans to earn a PhD in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, marking a rare and distinguished achievement in the country’s academic landscape.
Dr Ongati, who graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy from Maseno University, specialized in a highly technical field. His research spans complex studies, including “The moderating effect of Electronic Data Interchange on the relationship between integrated transportation and supply chain performance of large-scale manufacturing firms in Kenya.”
Soft-spoken but unrelenting, Dr Ongati traces his remarkable journey to Karachuonyo in Homa Bay, where he began his early education. After stints at Gendia High School and Maliera Secondary School, financial constraints forced him to pause his academic journey but not his ambition. Inspired by John Carson, he ventured into stationery supplies in Kisumu, earning up to KSh 400,000, part of which he invested in further studies at the Kenya Institute of Management.
His academic ascent gained momentum when he joined Maseno University for a Bachelor of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management, followed by a Master’s degree, and ultimately, a PhD in the same field. He credits much of his support to his uncle, Prof. Omollo Ongati, describing him as a pillar throughout his scholarly pursuit. He dedicates his doctorate to his late father, Ongati, and his wife, Angela.
Beyond academia, Dr Ongati has played significant roles in public service, notably at the Homa Bay County Government, where he contributed to the formulation and review of procurement policies, regulations, and strategic public-sector frameworks. He has been involved in resource mobilization, stakeholder engagement, and the development of operational guidelines aligned with county goals.
He has also undertaken numerous professional courses, including corporate governance, human resource performance, senior management, values enforcement in public service, performance appraisal systems, and project monitoring and evaluation. His skills span enterprise resource planning (ERP), policy drafting, including Kenya’s public procurement regulations and standard tender documents and data processing.
With strong conceptual and writing skills and with articles published both locally and internationally, Dr Ongati now sets his sights on politics. He has announced his interest in the Kisumu East parliamentary seat, vowing to uplift education standards in the constituency. He laments the lack of a model school or extra-county school in the area and cites rising cases of early pregnancies and school dropouts as urgent concerns.
He says his agenda aligns with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), asserting that education reform is key to empowering local communities.
Driven, disciplined, and determined, Dr Ongati’s story stands as a testament to perseverance and a reminder that even from modest beginnings, excellence is possible.
