Mombasa: The government has reaffirmed its commitment to fully implement the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system, according to State Department for Public Investments and Assets Management Principal Secretary Cyrell Wagunda. The decision to transition all government procurement processes to a digital platform remains firm despite facing temporary legal and legislative hurdles.

According to Kenya News Agency, the e-GP system aims to enhance efficiency and transparency in government procurement. Wagunda emphasized that the system is designed to streamline the procurement process, requiring all government tendering to occur electronically. The e-GP system, introduced at the start of the 2025/2026 fiscal year, is projected to save the government between Sh150-250 billion by reducing procurement malpractices.

The system, which integrates with the Kenya Revenue Authority’s iTax system, the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), and other national registries, is already seeing significant compliance. Wagunda noted that almost 90 percent of State Departments and 20 procurement entities have adopted the system. Additionally, counties such as Busia, Kakamega, Elgeyo Marakwet, Murang’a, and Lamu have published their annual procurement plans electronically.

During a workshop in Nyeri, Wagunda stated that the government is unwavering in its decision to digitize procurement despite a High Court intervention and National Assembly opposition. The Public Procurement and Disposal Act does not mandate the procurement process to remain manual, allowing for parallel manual and electronic systems.

The workshop, organized by the National Treasury, aimed to train accountants and procurement officers from various counties on the new system. To date, 42 counties have been educated on asset tracking and recording through the e-GP platform. Wagunda reiterated the government’s stance that suppliers must register electronically to engage in government procurement.