Thousands of Entities Register on the State's Electronic Procurement Platform
The e-GP system, an electronic government procurement platform, was launched on July 1, 2025, aiming to streamline and "sanitize" the government procurement process, which has faced criticism for being opaque.
Over 1,420 procuring entities, including county governments, learning institutions, municipalities, funds, water and sewerage companies, have registered on the e-GP system. This comprehensive list includes key institutions such as the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis, the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, the Competition Authority of Kenya, the Development Bank of Kenya, Kenya Pipeline Company, and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
All ministries, state departments, and independent commissions have also registered on the e-government procurement system. The National Treasury has confirmed this registration, ensuring that the entire government apparatus is now digitalised and centralised.
The purpose of the e-GP system is to provide a transparent and efficient platform for government procurement. Each entity has uploaded their budgets on the system, and a validation process is in place to ensure there are no discrepancies in every budget line.
However, there has been resistance from some quarters. The Council of Governors, led by Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, has expressed dissatisfaction with the e-GP system, arguing that it is not functioning effectively. The governors have threatened to withhold funds from the National Treasury, citing Article 62 of the Constitution, which they claim is superior to any circulars issued by the National Treasury minister.
Despite the challenges, the e-GP system is set to revolutionise government procurement in Kenya. No government office will be able to procure goods or services outside of the e-GP system, ensuring a unified and transparent approach to procurement.
As of now, 8,225 suppliers have registered on the e-GP system, ready to participate in this digital revolution. The e-GP system is a significant step towards modernising Kenya's public sector and promoting transparency and accountability in government operations.
