Traders and contractors across Kenya are expressing optimism following the government’s full transition from the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) to the end-to-end Electronic Government Procurement System (e-GP), a move widely seen as a game-changer in public procurement.
The new system, spearheaded by the National Treasury of Kenya in collaboration with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), is being rolled out nationwide through an intensive supplier training programme targeting 28 counties.
The initiative seeks to transition all public procurement processes to a fully digital platform in order to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability.
For years, suppliers have raised concerns over inefficiencies and alleged manipulation under IFMIS.
Many contractors complained of high operational costs, delays and opaque procedures that disadvantaged small and medium-sized enterprises.
Peter Orimbo, a trader who attended a recent sensitisation forum in Migori County, welcomed the shift, describing it as long overdue.
He noted that IFMIS had cost contractors and traders significant sums of money, but expressed confidence that the end-to-end nature of the e-GP system would seal loopholes that previously enabled canvassing and undue influence.
According to Orimbo, stakeholders have been assured that the new platform will eliminate human interference and guarantee a fair bidding environment.
His sentiments were echoed by Goodness Oucho, Secretary General of the Migori County Contractors and Suppliers Association, who described the transition as a bold step toward restoring integrity in government contracting.
Oucho maintained that the e-GP platform is designed to be devoid of manipulation, offering equal opportunity to all qualified suppliers.
A major highlight during the training sessions was the assurance on pending bills — a long-standing pain point for suppliers.
Officials emphasised that under the new framework, pending bills from previous financial years will first be reflected and settled before new financial commitments are processed.
This approach, stakeholders were told, aims to end the cycle of accumulated arrears that has strained many businesses and disrupted service delivery.
The e-GP system, officially launched for use by both national and county governments on July 1, 2025, has already recorded significant uptake. More than 33,000 suppliers have registered on the platform, with hundreds of tenders processed digitally.
The government has further made it mandatory for all procurement processes to move online, underscoring its commitment to curb corruption and promote traceability in public spending.
KNCCI has played a central role in equipping suppliers — particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) — with the technical knowledge required to navigate the new digital platform.
Through structured training and capacity-building forums, the chamber aims to ensure that no trader is left behind in the digital transition.
While the implementation has faced resistance from the Council of Governors, which raised concerns about the pace of rollout, and a temporary suspension by the High Court of Kenya allowing a hybrid submission process, the National Treasury and its partners remain steadfast in pushing forward with nationwide sensitisation.
For traders and contractors in counties like Migori, the digital shift represents more than a technological upgrade. It is a promise of fairness, predictability and renewed trust in government procurement.
As the country steadily embraces the e-GP system, many in the business community believe it marks the beginning of a more transparent and competitive era in public contracting.
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