The government has launched a fresh crackdown on state officials accused of running government projects through their private companies, a practice flagged as a key driver of delays and stalled projects.
Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo confirmed that President William Ruto and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei have directed firm action against those implicated.
“Those in government who want to do business, get out into the private sector,” Owalo said in a televised interview. He warned that anyone found exploiting their position to illegally access public funds will be dismissed and prosecuted.
Owalo noted that collusion between officials and contractors has undermined service delivery, prompting the administration to fast-track digitization of procurement systems. He added that resistance to the electronic Government Procurement (eGP) platform has largely come from entrenched cartels and accounting officers who have benefitted from loopholes in manual systems.
Ruto has previously declared that his administration will not back down on reforms, telling resistant officials to resign if they cannot align with the digitization agenda.
