Government online procurement and Payment system launched. New public procurement system where government service providers will have a chance to seek information for tenders online, submit tenders, maintain and communicate information on their goods and services via the internet has been launched. The new system is part of efforts by the government to automate and streamline Government financial management processes and procedures while the new online submission and bidding for tenders would prevent interference in tender processes. President Uhuru Kenyatta said that the electronic procurement (e-procurement), which is implemented under the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), will provide an efficient and streamlined purchasing and payment system by fully automating the process. “This will increase control and visibility over the entire life-cycle of a procurement transaction from procurement planning to payment,” the President said during the official launch of e-procurement system in Nairobi. He said that the new system of e-procurement is anchored in law and inculcates transparency and accountability in public tendering. “The new law will help us enhance efficiency, transparency and accountability as we move to seal corruption loopholes,” said the President. He added that the new law will reduce delays in procurement as exorbitant fees for acquisition of tender documents will be scrapped since all tender documents will be made available online. The President said the new online submission and bidding for tenders would prevent interference in tender processes. The system also eliminates the need for vendors to visit government offices in person, thereby reducing the likelihood of bribes and corrupt practices in government procurement offices and tendering boards. President Kenyatta further directed all public institutions and parastatals to follow suit and adopt online procurement services by the end of the year to ensure transparency and accountability of taxpayers money, this will reduce administrative tasks such as manual keying in of data. Speaking in the same function, Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Ms. Anne Waiguru whose Ministry is responsible for development planning, co-ordination, implementation and monitoring of the Kenya Vision 2030 lauded the National Treasury and particularly the IFMIS team for achieving this major success. “I am convinced that IFMIS is critical to the delivery of this goal as the system ensures that budgeting and expenditure management are standardized across national and county governments.”Waiguru said. She however admitted that the transformation requires sacrifice and urged the key players to keep soldering on. The system will require robust monitoring and evaluation measures put in place to help instill ethics and integrity and improve Public Service delivery. She said. Other speakers during the launch included Deputy President William Ruto, Cabinet Secretary for Treasury Henry Rotich among others. Ends……..
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 15:47:32 +0000
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