Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly Robert Alai has backed the national government’s move to impose the electronic procurement system at both levels of government.

Taking to his X account on Monday, September 1, 2025, the Kileleshawa MCA said those opposing the move are influenced by what he calls corrupt government officials, adding it is the best thing to ever happen to the government.

Alai’s sentiments come at a time when the National Treasury has begun rolling out an exclusive e-government procurement (e-GP) platform intended to centralise and digitalise government procurement, a reform the Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi argues will reduce corruption and save money. The rollout, according to the Treasury Cabinet Secretary, John Mbadi, is scheduled to be fully in place from the 2025/26 financial year, with all public procurement processes to be conducted through the e-GP portal.

”The e-procurement system is the best thing that is going to happen to the government. This system is what can cure the malady of pending bills. Those opposing it are just being influenced by corrupt government officers still looking to manipulate procurement and refuse to pay contractors,” Alai said.

CoG against e-procurement

However, the Council of Governors has said that forcing counties onto the system without sufficient consultation, capacity building, or guaranteed budgetary support will hamper counties’ ability to procure goods and services, pay suppliers and contractors on time, and run development projects. They have threatened litigation and declared a stalemate in talks with the national government.

The COG’s argument has been backed up by Narok Senator Ledama Olekina, saying that the system will deepen an already bitter standoff over revenue allocation and slow delivery of services to Kenyans.

“With the utmost respect, Mr. President … county governments are constitutionally semi-autonomous. Article 219 clearly mandates that counties receive their equitable share of revenue without undue delay and without deduction.” Sen. Olekina addressed President William Ruto over the e-procurement model on Monday, September 1, 2025, stating that the rollout of a mandatory e-procurement directive for counties goes beyond powers granted to the national government and could trigger costly litigation that diverts county funds from development.

Olekina’s statement is backed by Article 219 of the 2010 Constitution, which requires that a county’s share of nationally raised revenue be transferred to the county “without undue delay and without deduction.” That constitutional protection is central to county leaders’ complaint that fiscal uncertainty and top-down directives undermine devolution.