State purchases to go electronic starting July

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich. He said last week that the government is ready to implement the e-procurement programme under the Integrated Financial Management Information System on July 1. PHOTO/FILE  NATION

In Summary

• The new system is expected to increase efficiency in the usage of public resources while cutting red tape that has been blamed for low budget absorption and delaying development projects.
• Public Procurement Oversight Authority Advisory Board chairperson Patrick Mtange said implementation of the system is a key achievement that will go a long way in increasing efficiency in resource management.

By CHARLES WOKABI

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Procurement by all government agencies and ministries will be conducted electronically beginning next month.


 

Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury Henry Rotich said last week that the government is ready to implement the e-procurement programme under the Integrated Financial Management Information System on July 1.

The new system is expected to increase efficiency in the usage of public resources while cutting red tape that has been blamed for low budget absorption and delaying development projects.

“The aim of this component is to provide an efficient and streamlined procurement and payment system by fully automating the procurement and payment process. This will increase control and visibility over the entire life-cycle of a procurement transaction from procurement planning to payment of the supplier,” said Mr Rotich.

He spoke during the national 7th annual national public procurement and disposal consultative stakeholders’ forum at the weekend.

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The system will be implemented both at the national and county levels of government.

Public Procurement Oversight Authority Advisory Board chairperson Patrick Mtange said implementation of the system is a key achievement that will go a long way in increasing efficiency in resource management.

“Under this system, procurement will be conducted electronically. It is our hope that the system will significantly reduce if not eliminate paper-based transactions and the inefficiencies that result from manual systems as well as ensure suppliers are promptly paid,” said Mr Mtange.

Mr Rotich said the system will also help in tracking implementation of a government’s directive to offer up to 30 per cent of public tenders to youth, women and people with dis-abilities.

The rule was established through the Preferences and Reservation Regulations of 2011 and Amendments made in 2013 for the purpose of promoting local industry and disadvantaged groups such as citizen contractors, SMEs, youth, women and persons with disability.

Establishing an effective procurement system has been outlined as a key guide to the country’s Vision 2030 blueprint achievement.