E-Procurement Portal: Government Rolls Out Anti-Graft Platform Ahead of July 1 Deadline
- The state has finally launched the e-procurement portal ahead of the earlier anticipated Tuesday, July 1 deadline
- The launch of the portal is in line with the government’s broader goal of delivering 80% of public services online
- The electronic tendering system will fully digitalise the tendering process in Kenya, ensuring that only procurement engagements done through it are paid
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Bonface Kanyamwaya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has more than 10 years of financial, economy, business, markets and aviation expertise, providing insights into Kenya and global trends.
The government has finally launched the electronic procurement portal ahead of the earlier communicated rollout date of Tuesday, July 1.
Source: Twitter
Speaking during the launch of the portal in Nairobi on Monday, April 7, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the e-procurement portal is aligned with the government’s aim of transacting 80% of public services online.
The e-procurement system, which was initially slated to be rolled out in the next months is aimed at fully digitising the public tendering processes to eliminate corruption in public procurement in Kenya.
“This is not only a technological shift but a policy action grounded in our constitution and supported by global best practices. The system will promote fair, transparent, competitive, and cost-effective procurement,” said the CS in a press statement seen by TUKO.co.ke.
The CS said that now that the portal is working, only procurements processed through the platform will be paid for.
The National Treasury has made significant steps in the development and piloting of the system, and all ministries, departments, agencies, and county governments (MDACs) will be required to onboard the platform starting April 2025.
“This reform has been seven years in the making, involving wide consultations with stakeholders including the private sector and development partners. Today, it is finally becoming a reality,” he noted in the statement.
To ensure a successful rollout, the Treasury has partnered with the Kenya School of Government to provide countrywide training for government entities and suppliers.
How e-GP platform works
A help desk and weekly webinars have also been established. Suppliers will be required to register on the e-GP platform, submit bids online, track tender statuses, and manage contracts through a digital contract management module.
Heads of procurement have been instructed to facilitate training sessions for registered suppliers.
The system will be integrated with key government platforms such as Kenya Revenue Authority's iTax, Intergrated Financial Management Information System, the Business Registration Service, and the Integrated Population Registration System to streamline compliance verification and reduce fraud.
Source: Twitter
Benefits of e-procurement portal
The system, once fully rolled out, will improve efficiency in procurement by minimising the procurement cycle time.
The rollout of the KSh 5.05 billion system is in line with President William Ruto’s directive issued on Thursday, November 21, 2024, during his State of the Nation address.
Ruto had initially expressed displeasure over the slow implementation of the e-procurement system.
Contractors to register details on e-portal
Previously, the Treasury had asked contractors to register their details on the portal.
Contractors who were targeted were those working with both national and county governments.
The government had advised stranded contractors to visit the National Treasury desk at all the Huduma Centres countrywide during office working hours for help.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
