The Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, has challenged procurement professionals to uphold the highest standards of integrity while embracing emerging technologies to transform public procurement into a transparent, accountable and value-driven system that supports Kenya’s economic development.
In his speech read by the Principal Secretary (PS) for Public Investments and Asset Management, Cyrell Wagunda, during the official opening of the Fifth Heads of Procurement and Supply Chain Management Conference in Mombasa, Koskei said procurement professionals occupy positions of immense public trust and must ensure that every procurement decision delivers value for taxpayers while promoting ethical governance.
The four-day conference, organised by the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM), is being held under the theme: “From Procurement Spend to Public Value: Advancing National Impact Through Professional Excellence.”
“Integrity must remain non-negotiable for public sector Heads of Procurement. You are custodians of billions of shillings of public resources. Every procurement decision you make has consequences for taxpayers, investors, businesses and ordinary citizens. Integrity is therefore not optional,” said Koskei.
He stressed that professional competence without integrity poses a serious risk to national development, noting that technical expertise must always be complemented by ethical leadership.
“Our citizens deserve procurement systems that are beyond reproach,” he said.
Koskei urged Heads of Procurement to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ethical conduct, transparency and accountability in the execution of their duties.
“Let procurement departments become centres of integrity. Let every tender awarded withstand the scrutiny of auditors, oversight institutions and, ultimately, the judgment of the Kenyan people,” he said, adding that the government would continue supporting institutions that promote ethical procurement while taking firm action against those who abuse public office for personal gain.
He noted that under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the government envisions procurement as a strategic driver of enterprise development rather than merely a purchasing function.
“Every procurement opportunity should stimulate local manufacturing, create decent jobs, encourage innovation, expand market access and enable Kenyan businesses to grow into regional and global champions. Procurement must therefore become a bridge connecting public spending and private-sector prosperity,” he said.
Koskei further challenged procurement professionals to embrace emerging technologies and innovative practices, including green procurement, Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics and predictive procurement, saying these innovations are reshaping public purchasing across the world.
“These innovations are reshaping public purchasing globally, and Kenya must remain at the forefront while upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability.”
He also commended KISM for championing the rollout of the Electronic Government Procurement System (e-GP) through advocacy and professional capacity building.
According to Koskei, the e-GP platform goes beyond automation by enhancing transparency, promoting competition, strengthening accountability, reducing procurement costs and providing real-time procurement intelligence that boosts public confidence in government expenditure.
Public Investments and Asset Management PS John Wagunda echoed Koskei’s sentiments, saying technology will continue to shape the future of procurement and describing the e-GP platform as one of the most transformative public financial management reforms being implemented by the government.
“Digital transformation is not simply about automating processes. It is about strengthening governance, improving transparency, enhancing accountability and enabling better decisions through reliable data,” said Wagunda.
He urged Accounting Officers, Heads of Procurement and public institutions to fully embrace the e-GP system, noting that the future of procurement is digital, data-driven and fully integrated.
The government, he added, will continue providing the policy direction and institutional support required for the successful implementation of the e-GP system across Ministries, Departments, Agencies and County Governments.
“The success of digital procurement will depend not only on technology but also on competent, ethical and accountable professionals who manage the system. We count on you to enable our country to realise this transformation,” he said.
KISM National Chairperson Jeniffer Cirindi said procurement professionals must leverage technology to enhance transparency, accountability and operational efficiency as they transition to the e-GP system.
She further urged the profession to seize opportunities presented by regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“As Kenya deepens regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, let us position our profession to lead in harmonising standards and driving innovation across borders,” she said.
Cirindi said KISM had recorded significant milestones over the past year, including securing World Bank financing to support institutional transformation over the next three years, expanding its membership to more than 28,600 professionals and strengthening compliance and enforcement across both the National and County Governments.
She noted that the institute remains on course to achieve its strategic target of 40,000 members by 2029.
KISM CEO Kenneth Matiba said the institute has accelerated its digital transformation through the rollout of the KISM Mobile Application while enhancing member services through scholarship programmes, affordable e-GP training and innovative value propositions for members.
By Sadik Hassan
