Resign if you can’t adapt: Ruto warns state officials opposing e-procurement

President William Ruto has warned government officials resisting the transition to the electronic government procurement (e-GP) system, saying those unwilling to comply should resign from the public service.

Speaking on Sunday after a church service at St Peter’s ACK Cathedral in Siaya County, Ruto stressed that corruption and inefficiencies under the old system must end, and that officials who fail to embrace e-procurement have no place in government.

“I have noticed resistance from procurement and accounting officers who are used to the old ways. Some try to block or delay implementation, but we will not allow that. We are committed to rolling out e-procurement fully. There is no turning back. Any official who is not willing to work with us under the e-procurement system can as well leave the government and look for another job,” he said.

Eliminate corruption and wastage

Ruto said some government officials are pushing back against the digital system, which is designed to eliminate corruption and wastage of public resources. He emphasised that there would be no retreat in the fight against graft and inefficiency.

“The old procurement system is full of loopholes. Many people have taken advantage, inflating prices and engaging in corruption. A product that costs Sh2 could be bought by the government for Sh10. That is what we are trying to stop. We are introducing e-procurement so that every transaction is transparent, documented and accountable,” he said.

The e-GP system, officially launched on April 7, 2025, will become the exclusive platform for procurement across ministries, departments, and government agencies (MDAs) starting in the 2025/26 financial year. According to the National Treasury, it could save the country up to Sh50 billion annually by curbing procurement-related fraud.

The platform digitises the entire procurement process—from planning and bidding to contract management and payment. Suppliers register online, submit bids, and track tenders, while the system is linked to key government databases, including the Kenya Revenue Authority’s iTax system, IFMIS, the Business Registration Service, and the Integrated Population Registration System.

Opposed mandatory rollout

However, governors have opposed the mandatory rollout, accusing the National Treasury of disregarding a parliamentary annulment of the directive requiring counties to use e-GP. Through the Council of Governors (CoG), they argued that the system has caused confusion and disrupted service delivery.

“With the annulment of the circular, it is expected that all procuring entities will revert to the previous procurement frameworks provided for in existing laws. In this regard, the council asks the National Treasury to lift any administrative blocks related to e-GP. Failure to do so will compel us to seek legal redress as this borders on the provision of services across all counties,” CoG chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi said in a letter dated August 23.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi dismissed the annulment, insisting that only a Cabinet resolution could revoke his directive.

“Parliament has not revoked anything. If any government officer is going to use that as an excuse, I will not accept it. This circular is legally binding, like other Treasury reforms such as zero-based budgeting and the Treasury Single Account,” Mbadi said at a Development Partnership Forum.

Despite the resistance, Ruto reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in public procurement, making it clear that e-GP adoption will proceed without compromise.

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