No single government agency has been able to award any contract under the new electronic government procurement (e-GP) system four months after it was rolled out.
There are fears that government may fail or be late in awarding tenders for critical goods and services due the delay in implementing the system.
According to the website, https://egpkenya.go.ke/, no single contract has been signed as from July when the National Treasury introduced the system in accordance to the presidential directive.
The e-GP website shows that by today Tuesday, 21st, October 2025, 402 tenders have been uploaded in the system, 1477 procurement entities (PEs) listed and 24947 suppliers registered. However no single tender has been awarded or contract signed using the system.
Due to technical hitches, reports indicate that some governemtn agencies especially those n the roads sector have been allowed to revert to manual procurement.
Earlier this month, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) advertised nationwide tender notice for the tarmacking and upgrading of hundreds of rural roads outside the e-GP.
In an official notice dated October 7, 2025, the agency listed dozens of projects in every county, most of which are to be upgraded to bitumen standards.
“This is to bring to the attention of eligible and interested Contractors that Invitation Notices for tenders funded under various votes shall be uploaded on the Authority’s (KeRRA) website,” the notice reads.
A source familiar with the goings-in in government said the move was authorised following a meeting held between President William Ruto, Treasury officials and CEOs from roads agencies such as KeRRA, Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
The system that is hailed as the one to end corruption in procurement processes, has faced opposition from within with County Governments moving to court to stop its implementation.
Last month, the high court suspended the mandatory use of the e-procurement system for counties and other public entities, ruling that both manual and electronic systems can be used.
The court issued conservatory orders after the Council of Governors (CoG) and others sued, arguing the system lacked a legal basis and was implemented without proper consultation, which disrupted services.
Counties have since reverted to manual procurement with CoG chairman Ahmed Abdullahi saying developed units are now able to secure goods and services smoothly.
Last week, a parliamentary committee also delt a blow to the e-GP after it recommended the house moves to nullify regulations and Treasury Circulars on the system saying they are in violation of article 227 of the constitution and section 77(1) of the Public Procurement and Disposal Act.
The National Assembly Committee on Implementation has recommended that parliament adopts a report to void Circular Ref. No. NT/PPD/1/3/14 Vol VI by the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury John Mbadi dated March 2025 and Circular No. OP/CAB.6/2A dated 5th June, 2025 by the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei reiterating on the need to onboard the e-GP system.
by GEOFFREY MOSOKU
