CoG chairperson Abdullahi criticises e-procurement despite Mbadi’s directive
By Arnold Ngure, September 2, 2025Council of Governors (CoG) chairperson and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has sustained his criticism of the e-procurement system despite Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi ordering that all governments must adopt it.
Speaking during a TV interview on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Abdullahi stated that the e-procurement was ill-timed and implemented without consultation, and fixing some of the challenges it has.
“We have asked the Cabinet Secretary to withdraw the circular, and it has not been withdrawn yet; we are frozen in every aspect; we cannot procure, and it is gridlocking service delivery,” Abdullahi said.
Hurried migration
“If this thing worked seamlessly, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. We believe it was hurried, it has disrupted service delivery, and it shouldn’t be that the end justifies the means.”
Abdullahi stated that the e-procurement system was piloted in three counties, which have all indicated that it does not work.
“It was piloted in the three counties of Busia, Elgeyo-Marakwet, and Makueni, but yesterday, we spoke to the governors who said it is not working in any of those counties,” Abdullahi observed.
“In the process of piloting, it developed problems which needed troubleshooting so that it could run, but it didn’t work, and before we knew it, we were told that everybody must be on it,” he stated.
System challenges
“The training is not adequate, there are technical challenges, and increasingly, there will be practical challenges because we are having problems with IFMIS,” he added.
The initiative, championed by the National Treasury, aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the tendering process, ultimately curbing corruption that has long plagued public sector contracts.
While some government agencies have adopted e-procurement platforms, a substantial number still rely on manual, paper-based systems.
The National Treasury’s directive seeks to standardize and fully digitalize this process, moving all tender advertisements, submissions, evaluations, and contract awards online.
Proponents argue this will streamline operations, reduce administrative costs, and create a level playing field for all bidders, regardless of their proximity to government offices.
On the other hand, governors now seek to have the new system reevaluated, fixed, and county staff trained on it before it can be adopted.