By Eddah Waithaka
The Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) council has thrown its full weight behind the government’s rollout of the Electronic Government Procurement (E-GP) system, announcing it has already trained over 1,300 professionals to ensure a smooth transition.
In a press statement, the national professional body mandated to regulate the supply chain sector called the end-to-end digital system a “crucial step” that will enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in public procurement.
KISM stated that its over 28,000 registered members form the “critical pulse” required for the system’s success.
The Institute revealed it is collaborating with the National Treasury to run intensive training programs, including a Trainer of Trainers (ToT) course for 30 professionals set to graduate this week.”
The Institute wishes to indicate that it fully supports this government’s initiative,” the statement read, highlighting that digitization will reduce loopholes in manual processes and minimize opportunities for external interference.
The move follows a directive from the Head of Public Service last year requiring all public entity supply chain officers to hold valid KISM membership and a license to practice.
To enforce this, KISM has now recommended that the National Treasury configure the E-GP system to allow access only to duly registered and licensed professionals.
KISM also addressed the “negative stereotyping” its members have faced, arguing that the new system will serve as a tool for accountability.
The Institute reported it is running a successful ethics training program in collaboration with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
To ensure readiness, KISM urged all supply chain professionals to actively participate in capacity-building programs, support their institutions in registering on the E-GP portal, and report any training gaps directly to the Institute.
Citing global examples like Ghana’s GHANEPS and South Korea’s KONEPS, KISM pointed to World Bank studies showing governments save 10-15% on procurement expenditures in the first year after implementing an e-GP system.
The Institute confirmed it will continue to monitor the rollout and provide updates to its members throughout the transition period.
