Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has voiced concerns over the national government’s directive requiring all county governments to adopt the newly launched e-procurement system, warning that its mandatory rollout may conflict with constitutional provisions on devolution.
In a statement on his X page on Monday, the senator directly addressed President William Ruto, noting that while the benefits of digitising procurement processes are evident, counties must be allowed to retain their constitutional autonomy.
“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,” Ole Kina said.
He argued that compelling counties to adopt a centralised procurement platform could undermine the principles of devolution and expose the system to legal challenges that would consume time and resources meant for service delivery.
“This could result in costly court proceedings that shift focus and resources away from county development priorities,” he added.
The senator reaffirmed his support for the Council of Governors (CoG), which has also raised concerns about the directive, urging greater consultation and mutual respect between the two levels of government. “The Council of Governors is right to advocate for county autonomy and call for proper consultation in line with the law,” he stated.
President Ruto, however, has remained firm on the government’s commitment to implementing the e-Government Procurement (e-GP) system, which was launched on April 7, 2025. Speaking on August 31, the President said the system would become the sole platform for procurement across Ministries, Departments, and Government Agencies (MDAs) beginning in the 2025/26 financial year.
“Procurement should be open for all Kenyans to know how their money is being spent. Any officials who are not ready to continue with e-procurement can consider stepping aside,” he warned.
The Head of State stressed that the system was designed to enhance accountability, combat corruption, and ensure that resources are used transparently and efficiently.
The unfolding debate highlights growing tensions between the national government’s anti-corruption drive and counties’ quest to safeguard their constitutional independence in financial management.
