Governors warn of salary delays, county services paralysis over flawed e-procurement rollout

The Council of Governors (CoG) has sounded the alarm over looming salary delays and stalled county operations, blaming challenges in the government’s electronic procurement system (e-GP).

Speaking during the 28th Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) in Karen on Monday, CoG Chairman Ahmed Abdullahi said the rollout has disrupted operations, leaving counties unable to meet critical obligations.

According to Abdullahi, the delays have already forced fuel suppliers to suspend deliveries, crippling essential services such as garbage collection and transport.

“Our municipalities, if they do not get fuel for two days, all garbage ends up being dumped on the roads. It makes it difficult even to access those towns,” Abdullahi cautioned.

He added that while governors back automation, the current rollout of the e-GP system has been poorly executed, pushing counties to the brink. “We have no problem with automation. However, we feel that this e-GP thing will force you to reverse it along the road or be implemented with unnecessary pain. We feel that we have been pushed to the wall, that we are unable to operate,” he said.

The CoG boss disclosed that some counties are already struggling to process salaries, warning of possible strikes if the matter is not resolved urgently.

Governors further accused the Treasury of sidelining them during the implementation process and cautioned that flaws similar to those in the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) risk being repeated with e-GP.

On September 8, the High Court temporarily suspended a Treasury directive requiring all state agencies and county governments to exclusively use the e-GP system, granting conservatory orders pending further hearing.

County leaders now want the rollout reviewed to prevent a complete breakdown of services and ease the growing pressure on devolved units.