By Diana Odongo
County government of Siaya has commenced a two-day training program on the Electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system, a transformative digital platform designed to modernize public procurement processes across Kenya.
The training comes as the Government continues its efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of public resources. The eGP system is an online platform that enables government institutions to conduct procurement activities electronically, from procurement planning and tender advertisement to bid evaluation, contract management, and payment processing.
Speaking during the training, facilitators emphasized that the introduction of eGP marks a significant shift from the traditional paper-based procurement system.
Under the previous system, procurement processes involved extensive paperwork, physical submission of tender documents, and manual record-keeping, often leading to delays and challenges in tracking procurement activities.
The eGP platform addresses these challenges by providing a fully digital environment where procurement transactions can be processed, monitored, and tracked in real time. The system enhances transparency by creating clear audit trails, reduces administrative costs associated with printing and storage, and minimizes opportunities for irregularities in procurement procedures.
The training aims to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to effectively utilize the new platform. Through hands-on sessions, officers are being introduced to key procurement modules, workflows, and compliance requirements to ensure a smooth transition to electronic procurement.
Participants are expected to gain a deeper understanding of how to process requisitions, manage tenders, conduct evaluations, and oversee contracts using the eGP system. The training will also strengthen their capacity to comply with procurement regulations while improving service delivery within their respective institutions.
Ultimately, the two-day capacity-building program seeks to prepare public officers to confidently operate within the new digital procurement environment, supporting the Government's broader agenda of enhancing efficiency, accountability, and value for money in public spending.
The adoption of eGP represents a major milestone in Kenya's public sector transformation journey and underscores the Government's commitment to leveraging technology to improve governance and service delivery.