Business

Bachelor of Commerce in Purchasing and Business Logistics

The Bachelor of Commerce in Purchasing and Business Logistics is a four-year degree programme offered at Daystar University through the School of Business and Economics. The programme combines commerce education with specialised training in purchasing, supply chain management, and business logistics, preparing graduates for careers in procurement, inventory management, warehousing, transportation, and integrated supply chain functions.

The curriculum covers purchasing management, inventory management, warehousing and stores management, transportation, packing and materials handling, production planning and control, customer service management, project management, international logistics, logistics information systems, supply chain management, accounting, economics, statistics, management information systems, business law, and strategic management.

Students develop skills in procurement management, inventory control, supply chain optimisation, logistics planning, transportation management, warehousing operations, demand forecasting, supplier management, cost analysis, and logistics information systems.

Graduates pursue careers as purchasing managers, supply chain managers, logistics coordinators, procurement officers, inventory controllers, warehouse managers, and transport managers. They find employment in manufacturing companies, retail chains, logistics firms, government procurement departments, NGOs, and consulting firms.

The programme is offered at Daystar University (private, KSH 242,800 per year) at the Athi River and Nairobi campuses. Daystar University's programme is noted as unique in Africa for its comprehensive preparation of graduates in managing supply chain functions.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with at least C Plain in Mathematics.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 260,000
Private, up to: Ksh 174,270
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Purchasing Management
Inventory Management
Warehousing and Stores Management
Transportation
Supply Chain Management
International Logistics
Logistics Information Systems
Production Planning and Control
Business Law
Strategic Management

Modules

12 in the programme

Principles of Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of management, planning, organising, leading, and controlling.
Financial Accounting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Financial Accounting: Introduction to accounting principles, financial statements, and bookkeeping. Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Quantitative Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantitative Methods: Mathematical methods applied to business and logistics problems. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Business Law
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Business Law: Legal framework for business operations including contracts and commercial law. Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Purchasing Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Purchasing Management: Principles of purchasing, supplier selection, and procurement processes. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Inventory Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Inventory Management: Inventory control methods, stock management, and demand forecasting. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Warehousing and Stores Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Warehousing and Stores Management: Warehouse operations, materials handling, and stores management principles. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Transportation Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Transportation Management: Transportation systems, freight management, and distribution strategies. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
International Logistics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Cross-border logistics, international trade, and global supply chain management.
Logistics Information Systems
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Logistics Information Systems: Computer-based logistics management systems and supply chain technology. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Supply Chain Strategy
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Integrated supply chain management, strategic sourcing, and competitive advantage.
Industrial Attachment and Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised industrial attachment at a procurement or logistics organisation and final-year research project.

Specialisations

Procurement Management
Focus on purchasing strategy, supplier selection, and procurement processes. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Inventory and Warehousing
Focus on inventory control, warehouse management, and materials handling. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Transportation and Logistics
Focus on transportation management, freight operations, and distribution. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
International Logistics
Focus on cross-border logistics, international trade, and global supply chains. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Supply Chain Strategy
Focus on integrated supply chain management and strategic sourcing. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Production Planning and Control
Focus on production scheduling, capacity planning, and operations management. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day at Daystar University's Athi River campus combines lectures, quantitative exercises, and supply chain case studies. Morning sessions cover purchasing management, inventory control, and transportation, while afternoons focus on warehousing, logistics information systems, and international logistics through practical exercises and computer-based simulations. Students work on supply chain optimisation projects, procurement simulations, and logistics planning exercises. The Christian-based environment integrates discussions on ethical procurement and servant leadership.

The trade offs

In its favour

Unique in Africa for comprehensive coverage of both supply and demand fulfilment activities.
Christian values integration emphasises ethical procurement and servant leadership.
Strong career prospects with Kenya as a regional logistics hub.
Prepares graduates for professional certifications such as KISM and CIPS.

Against it

Private university fees are among the highest for BCom programmes in Kenya.
Only offered at Daystar University under this specific CUE-registered title.
Specialised focus may limit flexibility compared to general BCom graduates.
Logistics and supply chain roles may involve irregular hours and field work.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public184k to 260k

184k at Kenyatta University260k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 174k

105k at Mount Kenya University174k at KCA University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU 183.6K, UoN ~260K/yr. MKU 105K, KCA 174.3K/yr (kcau.ac.ke fee schedule).

HELB loans are available for qualifying Kenyan students. County government bursaries and Daystar University internal scholarships are also available. KISM may offer student membership benefits for purchasing and logistics majors.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
County Government Bursaries
Daystar University Scholarships

Scholarships

5 recorded

Daystar University Scholarships
University scholarshipKenyan
Students with outstanding academic performance or demonstrated financial need at Daystar University.
County Government Bursaries
Government bursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
ICPAK Scholarship for Accounting and Finance Students
ScholarshipKenyan
Bright and needy students admitted to accounting or finance programmes
Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) Training Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Students in geospatial sciences, GIS and remote sensing

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with at least C in Mathematics; OR KACE with two principal passes; OR a relevant diploma from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and quantitative logistics exercises throughout the semester.
Supply Chain Projects
Practical20% of the mark
Supply chain optimisation projects, procurement simulations, and logistics planning exercises.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.
Industrial Attachment Report
Project100% of the mark
Final-year industrial attachment at a procurement or logistics organisation including supervisor evaluation and report.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Purchasing Manager
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages procurement processes, supplier relationships, and purchasing strategy.
Supply Chain Manager
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 220,000
Oversees end-to-end supply chain operations from sourcing to delivery.
Logistics Coordinator
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Coordinates transportation, warehousing, and distribution activities.
Procurement Officer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Handles procurement transactions, tender processes, and supplier management.
Inventory Controller
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Manages stock levels, inventory records, and warehouse operations.
Warehouse Manager
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages warehouse operations, materials handling, and storage optimisation.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as purchasing managers, supply chain managers, and logistics coordinators in manufacturing, retail, logistics, and government. Demand is high with growing supply chain complexity and trade.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Spreadsheet tool for inventory analysis, procurement tracking, and logistics planning.
SAP Supply Chain Management
ErpPrimary
Enterprise supply chain management system for procurement and logistics.
Oracle Supply Chain
Erp
Enterprise supply chain management software for logistics and procurement.
Power BI
Analytics
Business analytics tool for supply chain data visualisation and reporting.
QuickBooks
Accounting
Accounting software for procurement and inventory financial management.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Purchasing and logistics is just about buying things and moving goods.
The programme covers strategic sourcing, supply chain optimisation, international logistics, and integrated supply chain management at a professional level.
There are no career opportunities in procurement and logistics in Kenya.
Kenya is a regional logistics hub with growing demand for supply chain professionals in manufacturing, retail, ports, and government.
Daystar University only offers theology and communications courses.
Daystar has a comprehensive School of Business and Economics offering five BCom majors including Purchasing and Business Logistics.
Supply chain management is the same as transport management.
Supply chain management encompasses procurement, inventory, warehousing, production planning, logistics, and strategic sourcing — far broader than transport alone.