In an explosive move, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has demanded full compliance from all Principal Secretaries (PSs) and accounting officers, threatening severe consequences for any delay in implementing the new Electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system.

At a high-stakes event in Nairobi on Monday, Mbadi gave an unequivocal order for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately begin the eGP rollout, starting with the registration of suppliers and subsequent training.

He made it clear that failure to comply would not be tolerated, and he would take the matter to President William Ruto.> “This is not negotiable. If any PSs fail to move their departments to the eGP platform, I will take it directly to the President, who is the appointing authority,” Mbadi warned.

In a no-nonsense statement, Mbadi refused to accept resistance to the new system, making it crystal clear that any pushback from accounting officers would not be allowed. He pointed out that while the President appoints the PSs, he is the one who designates them as accounting officers.

He didn’t mince words, asserting that PSs who fail to execute their duties effectively will face removal from their posts.> “If you cannot manage the eGP, then you don’t belong in that role. I will recommend to the President that you are no longer fit to serve as a PS,” Mbadi emphasized.

The eGP system, which aims to overhaul government procurement procedures, will digitally track operations including budget allocations, procurement plans, and tendering processes, creating a more transparent and efficient system.

It will require suppliers to register on the portal, with stringent requirements including valid business registration, KRA PIN, and compliance certificates.Mbadi’s ultimatum comes as the government pushes to digitize and streamline operations, with bigger plans ahead.

The eGP system is designed to make government procurement more transparent, as it will publicly share all tendering and evaluation reports, ensuring accountability at every level.

In a follow-up announcement, the Treasury revealed plans to broadcast a detailed budget explainer to the public once the budget verification process is completed, further solidifying their push for complete transparency in government financial dealings.