Kitui Governor Malombe warns new e-procurement system could derail devolution if rushed
By Cy Muganda, September 7, 2025Kitui Governor Julius Malombe has raised concerns about the government’s new electronic procurement system, warning that its rushed implementation could undermine devolution if not properly managed.
Speaking in Mombasa on September 6, 2025, Governor Malombe highlighted the confusion surrounding the new system, noting that only four institutions have been successfully onboarded to date.
“Electronic government procurement system, which has been introduced and which has caused a lot of confusion up to today because only four institutions have been onboarded to that particular system to date,” Malombe stated.
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Limited rollout
The Governor explained that the majority of government entities, including ministries, departments, agencies, county governments, and their entities, such as water service providers, have not managed to be onboarded to the system.
He pointed out that this limited rollout is creating operational difficulties across various levels of government.
“All other ministries, departments and agencies, other national governments and the county governments together with their entities, the water service providers, which are the water companies and many other entities established in the county government have not managed to be onboarded, and it is causing difficulties,” he stated.
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According to Malombe, county governments do not oppose the e-procurement system, but they want it to be implemented correctly without undermining the principles of devolution.
“We are not resisting the same, and we want that system, but we don’t want it to bring certain negative aspects like using the system to deny or to undermine devolution,” he clarified.
Need for proper training
While acknowledging the potential benefits of automation, Malombe stressed the importance of proper training and the integrity of personnel involved in operating digital systems.
“If you automate your processes, you are likely to be efficient. That is when you have people who have been properly trained, and it is utilised properly, and then you can, in cases, see leakages if any have been taking place,” he said.
The Governor emphasised that digital systems are only as effective as the people operating them, calling for comprehensive training and ethical standards.
“Let’s not forget every digital system or electronic system is operated by human beings. So you need those human beings to be trained. You need those human beings to be honest and to be persons with integrity as we go forward,” Malombe added.