No exceptions: Ruku says all state, county tenders must be via E-government procurement

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has directed that all state and county governments strictly adopt the E-Government Procurement system for all tendering processes.

Speaking during a special programmes outreach in Chuka, Igamba Ng’ombe, Ruku said the directive was in line with President William Ruto’s instructions and must be fully implemented across ministries and county governments without exception.

“When the president issues instructions that E-Government Procurement must be implemented, all of us in government must ensure it is done,” Ruku said.

The CS emphasised that public funds must be managed transparently and warned against inflated prices in government supply contracts.

“Buying supplies at exaggerated prices for people to make high margin profits must end. The money we have as a government is not enough for the needs of the country, and if not spent sparingly, we cannot deliver,” he added.

Ruku said the E-Procurement system will ensure accountability, curb corruption, and guarantee value for money in government spending.

The CS noted there has been ongoing fraud leading to the loss of large amounts of public funds in the tendering processes which must be stopped.

His remarks come amid opposition from lawmakers and governors over the new system.

The e-Government Procurement (e-GP) system was officially launched on April 7, 2025, and is set to become the sole platform for all public procurement processes across Ministries, Departments, and Government Agencies (MDAs) starting from the 2025/26 financial year.

According to the National Treasury, the system is expected to save the country up to Sh150 billion annually by curbing procurement-related fraud and inefficiencies.

The e-GP system digitizes the entire procurement process—from planning and bidding to contract management and payment. Suppliers are required to register on the platform, submit bids online, and track the status of tenders and contracts.

To enhance transparency and reduce fraud, the system is integrated with key government databases, including the Kenya Revenue Authority’s iTax system, the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), the Business Registration Service, and the Integrated Population Registration System.