Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has expressed concerns over the national government’s directive requiring county governments to adopt an e-procurement system.
In a statement on his X page on Monday, Senator Ledama addressed President William Ruto, noting that while the benefits of the e-procurement system are recognised, its mandatory implementation across counties may conflict with constitutional provisions.
"With the utmost respect, Mr. President, county governments are constitutionally semi-autonomous. Article 219 clearly mandates that counties receive their equitable share of revenue without undue delay and without deduction," he stated.
The senator highlighted that compelling counties to adopt a centralised e-procurement platform could be seen as inconsistent with the principles of devolution and may lead to legal challenges that divert resources from service delivery and development.
“This could result in costly court proceedings that shift focus and resources away from county development priorities,” he added.
Ledama emphasised that devolution was enshrined in the Constitution to bring services closer to the people and empower counties to make decisions aligned with local needs.
He also expressed support for the Council of Governors’ efforts to defend county autonomy and promote consultation between the national and county governments.
“The Council of Governors is right to advocate for county autonomy and call for mutual respect and proper consultation in line with the law,” the senator said.
On August 31, 2025, President William Ruto reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparent procurement, urging officials to adopt the new digital system.
“Procurement should be open for all Kenyans to know how their money is being spent,” he said.
“Any officials who are not ready to continue with e-procurement can consider stepping aside. We remain committed to fully implementing this system and ensuring resources are used as intended.”
The President reiterated his administration’s focus on accountability and efforts to combat corruption.
The e-Government Procurement (e-GP) system was officially launched on April 7, 2025, and is expected to become the sole platform for all public procurement processes across Ministries, Departments, and Government Agencies (MDAs) starting from the 2025/26 financial year.
