NAIROBI, Kenya – All state departments and agencies have until September 19, 2025, to upload their annual procurement plans to the government’s new electronic procurement (e-GP) system, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has directed.
In a circular dated September 5, Koskei said the National Treasury has already uploaded budgets of all state departments onto the e-GP platform and instructed accounting officers to urgently verify them against the approved 2025/26 allocations.
“To ensure veracity and avoid discrepancies, all accounting officers are directed to validate their respective budgets as uploaded onto the e-GP system against the approved budget for the financial year 2025/26,” the circular reads in part.
He added that all procuring entities must finalise and publish their annual procurement plans on the e-GP portal by the September 19 deadline, in line with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, to pave way for procurement processes.
Digital Procurement Rollout
The government launched the e-GP system on July 1, 2025, to digitise the entire procurement chain — from planning to payment.
Authorities project the platform will save up to Sh150 billion this financial year by sealing graft loopholes such as inflated prices and ghost suppliers.
The shift is also tied to Kenya’s commitments under IMF-backed fiscal reforms aimed at cutting debt through tighter spending controls and improved revenue mobilisation.
However, the migration has faced technical hitches and resistance. Some agencies and counties have reported delays in budget approvals, leading to cash flow problems.
Governors have warned that a rushed rollout could disrupt service delivery, noting that only three counties participated in the pilot phase and all reported failures.
Mixed Progress Among Counties
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said last week that 30 counties had fully onboarded, 10 were awaiting approval from the Controller of Budget, and only seven were yet to migrate.
But as of Wednesday, just 19 counties had been formally registered, with devolved units accusing Treasury of a sluggish rollout.
Despite the setbacks, Public Investments and Assets Management Principal Secretary Odede Wagunda ruled out any reversal.
“The digital systems are aimed at improving ownership and accountability,” Wagunda said, adding that the IFMIS Asset Module will ensure accuracy, safeguard public resources, and standardise reporting.
Ruto’s Firm Warning
President William Ruto has also taken a hard line, insisting that no government entity will be allowed to opt out.
“Procurement and accounting officers do not want this programme because they benefited from the old system,” Ruto said recently. “Any government official unwilling to use it can resign and pursue other interests.”
The standoff underscores the tension between the government’s anti-graft reforms and implementation challenges that risk slowing down service delivery as the financial year progresses.
