President William Ruto has ordered a strict crackdown on government officials accused of running state projects through private companies.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo confirmed the directive on Thursday, September 11, during an interview with NTV. He said the president will act firmly against conflicts of interest in government projects.
Officials Risk Dismissal and Prosecution
Owalo revealed that Ruto has instructed that any official caught doing business with the state through private companies will be dismissed. They will also face legal action.
“Those in government who want to do business should step out and join the private sector. We will not allow people to serve in government and at the same time profit from government projects,” Owalo said.
He added that collusion between officials and contractors is one of the main reasons behind stalled projects across the country.
E-Procurement to Fight Corruption
To curb corruption, the government is rolling out the Electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system. The digital platform will track costs and bring more transparency in public spending.
Owalo admitted that some cartels are fighting back against the system. He said these groups thrive on loopholes in manual procurement, which often delay projects.
Ruto Warns Resistant Officials
President Ruto has also warned leaders opposing the e-procurement system. Speaking in Siaya on August 31, he said it would not be business as usual.
“We will not be distracted by noise. If you cannot work with us on accountability, step aside and let others do the job,” Ruto said.
He accused some officials of sponsoring media reports to discredit the digital system by linking it to inflated costs.
A Tougher Anti-Corruption Drive
The new measures show Ruto’s push for a transparent government. By targeting conflicts of interest and embracing technology, the administration hopes to speed up service delivery and stop project delays.
