By Michelle Ndaga
Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, has reiterated the government’s commitment to fully implement the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system as part of efforts to enhance efficiency and streamline healthcare service delivery.
Speaking during a meeting with procurement officers from the State Department, Dr. Oluga emphasized that digitizing procurement processes will be key to strengthening the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), improving supply chain management, and promoting local manufacturing of health commodities.
He was joined by the Principal Secretary for Public Investments and Asset Management, Mr. Cyrell Wagunda Odede, who urged procurement officers to take the lead in the nationwide rollout of the e-GP system.
Mr. Odede disclosed that 1,285 procuring entities and 7,637 suppliers have already registered, with several institutions having uploaded their procurement plans. Thousands of officers and suppliers have also been trained, with a help desk established to provide technical support.
Mr. Odede noted that the e-GP system will cut costs, reduce procurement delays, boost transparency, and ensure value for money while maintaining confidentiality and integrity of transactions.
He directed all procuring entities to submit their budgets, create user accounts, and begin procurement planning, stressing that the government will not reverse the digital shift.
The Ministry of Health has identified e-GP as a cornerstone reform to ensure timely delivery of medical supplies and services, a crucial step in achieving universal health coverage
