Mombasa: Kenya could save up to Sh86 billion this financial year if government entities fully embrace the electronic government procurement (EGP) system, according to procurement officials. This projection was highlighted at the 5th Annual Heads of Procurement Conference in Mombasa, organized by the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM), where more than 500 heads of procurement and supply chain management from both the public and private sectors convened over five days.
According to Kenya News Agency, Deputy Head of the Public Service Amos Gathecha emphasized the government’s shift towards digitalization to eliminate corruption in public procurement. He noted that the e-GP system integrates budgeting and procurement plans on a single platform, enhancing transparency. Gathecha stated that this system could potentially save the government 10 percent of its procurement budget, adding that funds disbursement is now linked to the digital platform to ensure accountability.
Gathecha highlighted the government’s partnership with professional bodies including KISM, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), the Institute of Human Resource Management, and the Law Society of Kenya, describing them as the first line of accountability for their members.
KISM Chairperson Jennifer Cirindi Njiro revealed that over 1,500 government entities have already registered on the EGP platform. The conference resolved to support the rollout of the system and push for legislative reviews to professionalize procurement. This includes updating relevant acts and regulations, with hopes of enactment before Parliament’s recess next year.
Njiro also mentioned the resolution to incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into tendering processes nationwide to promote environmental sustainability.
