Over 1,400 agencies now using government e-procurement system

Over 1,400 government agencies have so far registered on the State’s e-procurement system, as the Treasury pushes for full compliance with the new digital platform.

Public Investments and Assets Management Principal Secretary Cyrell Odede confirmed in a circular dated September 1, 2025, that all ministries, state departments and independent commissions are already listed on the e-GP system and have uploaded their budgets.

He directed accounting officers to verify the information to avoid mismatches between approved and uploaded budgets.

“The National Treasury hereby confirms that all ministries, state departments and independent commissions and offices have been registered in the e-GP system in readiness for end-to-end electronic processing of procurement of goods, works and services,” Odede stated.

He explained that each budget line must be validated on the system before procurement planning begins. “The purpose of the circular, therefore, is to request all accounting officers to undertake validation of budgets uploaded in the e-GP platform to ensure that there are no discrepancies between the approved budget and the uploaded budget,” he said.

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has made it clear that no public office will be allowed to procure goods or services outside the system.

He maintained that the platform is designed to bring transparency to a process long plagued by secrecy and misuse.

Introduced on July 1, the e-GP system also requires service providers to register. As of Tuesday evening, records showed 1,420 procuring entities had signed up, alongside 8,225 suppliers. Among those already listed are county governments, learning institutions, municipalities, funds, water and sewerage firms.

Independent bodies such as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), 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 and Kenya Pipeline Company have also complied.

Odede noted that digitising procurement will reduce the cost of goods and services and enhance accountability in public spending.

However, resistance remains among county governments. The Council of Governors has dismissed the rollout, insisting the system is unreliable. Its chairman and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi criticised Treasury’s stance and warned against threats to withhold funds.

“Article 62 of our Constitution is not inferior to circulars issued by the National Treasury minister. He cannot threaten us,” Abdullahi said. “The system is not working. No one can shove it down our throats.”