Mombasa: More than 500 procurement and supply chain leaders are meeting in Mombasa this week to chart reforms aimed at transforming the sector, with a strong emphasis on adopting the new electronic procurement system (EGP).
According to Kenya News Agency, the 4th Heads of Procurement Forum, hosted by the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) in collaboration with the National Treasury, runs from August 11 to 15 at the Whitesands Hotel under the theme For Prosperity: Procurement and Supply Chain Management as a Catalyst for National Transformation.
Principal Secretary for the State Department for Public Investment and Asset Management, Cyrell Wagunda, said the gathering brings together government officials, private sector players, development partners, academia, financial institutions, and supply chain practitioners to address systemic challenges. "The National Treasury is pleased to join KISM during this year's forum. We have 500 professionals and industry leaders here to discuss matters that will shape policy development for sector transformation," he said.
Wagunda urged stakeholders to fully embrace the EGP, warning that those who fail to comply will face legal consequences. "We have no option but to ensure EGP works. It will enhance value for money, transparency, accountability, traceability, and visibility of procurement for the country's socio-economic progress," he said.
He noted that the government is fully committed to a digital first procurement ecosystem whereby through the National Treasury and strategic partners, it has successfully operationalised the end-to-end e-GP system. He said the system now serves as a single, integrated source of truth for public procurement and all procuring entities are expected to conduct their procurement through it.
The PS added that beyond the national boundaries the government is advocating for seamless system connectivity: the ability of government's systems to speak to and exchange data with regional systems. "This is essential for joint procurement initiatives, regional supplier accreditation, and transparency across borders. This connectivity means our procurement data can inform regional risk management frameworks, it means that audit trials are not just national and we can work towards a future where suppliers registered in Nairobi can seamlessly bid for a project in Kigali underpinned by trusted data, shared platforms and common procurement standards," he said.
He said the National Treasury applauds the deliberate and strategic intervention being rolled out by KISM to transform the supply chain management practice in the country. This includes the full operationalisation of the Kenya College of Supply Chain Management, enhanced compliance checks, automation of key frontiers of service delivery including the membership and registration processes, enhanced partnerships with critical actors, among others.
Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Director General Patrick Wanjuki cautioned entities against bypassing the system by backdating contracts before the end of the 2024/2025 financial year. "As the regulator, we want to make it clear that any procurement done outside the EGP will not be paid for. Accounting officers and department heads will bear full responsibility. All suppliers are also warned not to engage with entities outside the EGP process," he said.
Wanjuki added that the PPRA will review all payments for July and August 2025 to ensure compliance, noting the EGP rollout began on July 1. KISM Chairperson John Karani welcomed the government's commitment, calling the transition a transformative step for the profession. "Our members are at the forefront of this shift, ensuring transparency and accountability to prevent corruption. We are determined to change the narrative and change Kenya," he said.