GOVERNMENT STANDS FIRM ON E-PROCUREMENT AS COUNTIES URGED TO SPEED UP DIGITIZATION
The national government has reiterated that it will not abandon its push for e-procurement and full digitization of public assets, insisting that the reforms are critical for safeguarding national resources. Speaking during the closing ceremony of a sensitization forum for counties on asset management and the roll-out of the IFMIS Asset and Inventory Module at the Kenya School of Government in Embu, Principal Secretary for Public Investments and Assets Management Odede Wagunda said digitization is a non-negotiable step toward accountability. He emphasized that the adoption of electronic systems marks a turning point in how public assets are monitored, reported, and protected across the country.
Wagunda noted that the ongoing trainings form part of a wider national initiative to ensure all counties maintain accurate, reliable, and fully digital asset registers. He stated that the digitization drive is not simply an ICT upgrade but a comprehensive reform that will transform public financial management. According to the PS, the IFMIS Asset Module will promote accuracy in asset data, strengthen safeguards against misuse, and standardize reporting in line with national policies. He urged counties to promptly submit the names of their IFMIS users so that mapping can begin and cautioned officers to prioritize securing ownership documents such as title deeds, which he described as the legal backbone of effective asset management.
The PS further challenged counties to be innovative in deriving value from public assets instead of letting them remain idle. Citing road infrastructure as an example, he encouraged county governments to explore revenue-generating avenues like advertising to boost service delivery. Wagunda also called for continuous capacity building through the training of additional officers and reminded counties to establish clear budget lines dedicated to asset management to ensure sustainability of the reforms.
Highlighting progress at the national level, Wagunda revealed that all state departments had already uploaded their asset data into the IFMIS Asset Module in the 2023/2024 financial year, resulting in improved transparency and oversight. He said counties must now match this commitment, especially as Kenya prepares to transition fully from cash to accrual accounting by the 2026/2027 financial year. Reaffirming that maintaining accurate asset registers is a legal obligation under the Public Finance Management Act, the PS urged county officials to uphold integrity and accountability. He assured them that the national government will continue to support counties throughout the digitization journey, describing it as a transformative step toward stronger governance and better protection of public resources.