The government has intensified efforts to transition all public entities to the new Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system, a move set to revolutionize public procurement by enhancing transparency, accountability and cost efficiency and reducing corruption.
The Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM), in partnership with the National Treasury, is spearheading capacity building for procurement and supply chain professionals nationwide.
Currently, 225 officers from 59 public entities including 10 county governments are undergoing intensive five-day training in Mombasa. Over the past two months, 1,317 officers have received similar training.
During the intensive practical training, the officers will cover a wide range of topics on supplier registration, procuring entity registration, annual procurement plan, annual disposal plan and e-requisition.
The public procurement course aims to equip participants with practical knowledge for implementing the E-GP systems effectively.
They will also be trained on e-tender preparation, e-bid security management and submission, e-tender evaluation, professional opinion, award processes (intention to award, letter of award, performance security), and e-contract management.
KISM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenneth Matiba says the reforms in procurement aligns with the government’s broader Digital Superhighway Agenda, which seeks to deliver 80 per cent of public services online.
“The e-GP is not just a technological shift but also a policy reform grounded in our constitution and guided by international best practices. Its purpose is clear: to enhance efficiency, accountability, transparency, and value for money in the use of public resources,” he stated in Mombasa.
The training is to support the government in the roll out of the system. The officers were exhorted to embrace, learn, apply and advance the roll out of the system.
“It’s a tool that has been recommended to supply chain professionals. It is a tool that the government has given a policy direction to be the sole pathway for end-to-end procurement in the public sector,” stated Matiba.
The tool will promote fairness, competitiveness and value for money in public procurement processes.
“We want to believe that the challenges that are there are short-term. We have noted the need to facilitate delivery of essential services. We have shared this feedback with our parent ministry – the National Treasury,” he said.
The system has been rolled out in other countries and the challenges being experienced will be resolved to ensure fiscal discipline and proper management of public procurement.
“The impact has been remarkable. Lower costs and timelines, stronger competition, enhanced transparency, inclusivity for SMEs and marginalized groups, and greater accountability,” said the CEO.
Kenya’s e-GP system is designed to keep the country globally competitive by aligning with the best international standards.
“Going forward, what we are going to do is more sensitisation, training, and technical support. The National Treasury has already come up with a programme that is targeting all the public entities so that we can be able to support them within their institutions,” said Matiba.
“A service desk and a technical support desk have also been created at the National Treasury to be able to support entities directly,” he added.
Furthermore, he explained that countries like Germany, Denmark, the UK, Norway, Rwanda and Ghana that have adopted the system have saved close to 10-15 per cent of their Gross Domestic Products according to World Bank studies.
“All these countries, when it comes to creating sanity, tractability, visibility, transparency and accountability in their public procurement systems, are laudable. In fact, in terms of transparency index those countries are ranked a bit higher. We believe it is time for Kenya and we support the government,” he stated.
By Mohamed Hassan
