Ruto: E-procurement will stop corruption at source

President William Ruto has reaffirmed that the government will not retreat on rolling out the Electronic Government Procurement System (e-GPS), insisting it is the most effective way to tackle corruption in public procurement.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday, the President dismissed pushback from some quarters and declared that e-procurement is here to stay.

“For avoidance of doubt, we are not going back on e-procurement,” he said.

Ruto’s remarks came in the wake of a High Court order temporarily halting a directive by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi that made e-GPS mandatory for all public entities.

On September 8, Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled that public institutions were at liberty to submit or receive tender documents either electronically or manually, provided they comply with Section 77 (1) of the Public Procurement and Disposal Act.

The judge granted conservatory orders suspending the directive until October 15, unless extended or varied by the court.

The case had been filed by Peter Kirui, Legal Consultancy Group Ltd, Patrick Ekirapa, and the Council of Governors.

Despite the legal hurdle, Ruto maintained that e-procurement was non-negotiable, describing it as the government’s frontline weapon against graft.

“Let the public know how much the government is procuring public services for Kenyans. That’s all we are saying,” the President said.

“This is how to stop corruption at the beginning. Let’s not wait for someone to steal for us to start looking for DCI and anti-corruption agencies. Why don’t we stop this thing before the money is stolen?”

The standoff has pitted Ruto and the Treasury against county governments, with the Council of Governors challenging the rollout of the system.

Mbadi had insisted that the e-GPS would streamline procurement, curb inflated tenders, and enhance transparency in government contracting.

Ruto’s tough stance was delivered during a function where he presented a cheque worth Sh2.65 billion to the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).

The funds were deposits previously held by the Kenya Deposit Insurance Company from the defunct Chase Bank and Imperial Bank.

As the matter awaits further court determination, the President’s declaration signals his administration’s resolve to digitise procurement despite opposition and ongoing legal battles.