Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fully implement e-procurement across national and county governments, saying the system will not be reversed despite teething challenges.
Speaking on Thursday during the 13th Development Partnership Forum at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, Prof. Kindiki stressed that the digital procurement system is a key reform to safeguard public resources from misuse.
“E-procurement increases accountability and transparency in the use of public resources. We must overcome the challenges and implement it fully because we will not revert to the manual procurement system whatsoever,” the DP said.
He added that the Treasury Single Account (TSA) will also be enforced to ensure government funds are consolidated at the Central Bank, eliminating the misuse of public money previously kept in commercial banks for personal gain.
“These are important reforms we are pushing in the finance sector. The Treasury Single Account is important because the Government of Kenya’s resources must be kept at the Central Bank. Many agencies have been keeping public resources in commercial banks earning interest which is not accounted for,” Prof. Kindiki reiterated.
The reforms, approved by Cabinet last year, mandate the National Treasury to implement the measures strictly. The decision was informed by the need to simplify government banking, improve cash management, and ensure transparency in handling state funds.
“We will not go back on them. No retreat, no surrender. No amount of push back will make us review these policy decisions approved by the Cabinet,” Kindiki added firmly.
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi backed the DP’s stance, insisting that he will continue spearheading the reforms despite opposition.
“I committed to bring e-procurement to the government. I have issued a circular to all government officers to procure through e-procurement and that position remains until the Cabinet revokes it,” Mbadi said.
The forum was attended by Cabinet Secretaries, constitutional commission members, and representatives from various development partners.
