KISM RALLIES BEHIND GOVERNMENT ROLLOUT OF ELECTRONIC PROCUREMENT SYSTEM

Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) management address the media at KISM Towers during the rollout briefing of the Electronic Government Procurement System (e-GP).

By: Glad Tv Kenya reporter 

The Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) has reaffirmed its commitment to the successful rollout of the Electronic Government Procurement System (e-GP), saying the platform will mark a new era of accountability, transparency, and efficiency in public procurement.

KISM, a statutory body established under the Supplies Practitioners Management Act (SPMA) No. 17 of 2007, said the digitization of procurement processes would not only modernize public service but also strengthen the professional standing of over 28,000 supply chain practitioners registered with the Institute.

“As the national professional body mandated to regulate and professionalize supply chain management practice, we fully support the government’s initiative and policy direction to digitize procurement,” the Institute said in a statement. “The system will enhance transparency, efficiency, accountability, visibility, and traceability of procurement processes.”

The Institute recalled the resolutions made during the Heads of Procurement Forums in August 2024 and 2025, which were officiated by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, and Principal Secretary for Public Investments and Asset Management Cyrell Odede.

“At both forums, supply chain professionals made a timely resolution to embrace, learn, support, and facilitate the rollout of the e-GP system,” the Institute noted. “This strategic commitment was borne out of years of professional challenges, including negative profiling, and demonstrates practitioners’ desire to remain accountable within their mandates.”

The Institute further highlighted its partnership with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), under which it has been conducting capacity-building programmes on ethics. “Supply chain professionals have consistently demonstrated commitment to integrity, and the rollout of the e-GP system is a welcome gesture that reinforces accountability and responsibility,” KISM stated.

Over the last two months, KISM said it has undertaken major interventions in preparation for the rollout:

1. Technical Capacity Development – In collaboration with the National Treasury, KISM has trained 1,317 supply chain management professionals, scaling up awareness and practical skills on the new platform.

2. Trainer of Trainers Programme – Thirty supply chain professionals have been nominated and are currently undergoing intensive training at the Kenya School of Government. “These ToTs will graduate this week and help meet the growing demand for capacity building in public entities,” the Institute said. The training is structured in two five-day phases covering modules such as supplier registration, procurement planning, e-requisition, e-tendering, bid submission, evaluation, professional opinion, award processes, and e-contract management.

3. Compliance Enforcement – KISM has recommended to the National Treasury that the e-GP system be configured to ensure only licensed and registered supply chain professionals are able to use it. This aligns with the 2023 circular from the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service requiring verification of practitioners’ KISM membership and valid practicing licenses.

The Institute urged supply chain professionals to take proactive steps during the transition.
“We call upon all professionals to actively participate in ongoing capacity-building programmes, support their institutions in registering on the platform, facilitate activation of user roles, and report any training gaps for guidance and support,” the statement read.

KISM also encouraged practitioners to share feedback and proposals to enrich the process, and to adhere to the Institute’s Code of Ethics in the transition.

The Institute underscored the international lessons from e-procurement systems, citing the World Bank’s finding that governments save between 10–15% of procurement expenditures in the first year of rollout. “Portugal realized a 20% reduction in contract prices after implementing e-GP,” KISM said.

Other global benchmarks include South Korea’s KONEPS, India’s GeM, Singapore’s GeBIZ, Rwanda’s UMUCYO, Ghana’s GHANEPS, Ukraine’s ProZorro, and Chile’s ChileCompra.

“These examples show that e-GP systems enhance transparency, inclusivity, and public oversight, while delivering cost savings and efficiency,” KISM added.

KISM concluded by aligning the e-GP rollout with the government’s broader digitization agenda, which seeks to make 80% of services available online.

“We believe that by working together, we can unlock the full potential of a digitized procurement landscape for the benefit of all Kenyans,” the Institute said. “Kenya now has the opportunity to join other nations that have successfully navigated this transition, and we are determined to be part of the solution.”

For training and technical support, KISM directed professionals to reach out to the Institute via admin@kism.or.ke and to the National Treasury through support@egpkenya.go.ke.