In an era marked by massive fraud cases and inflated costs in procurement deals that drain public resources, all government deals are better done digitally. It is on the back of this that beginning this July, procurement will be done on a digital platform to ensure transparency and above-board processes, President William Ruto says.
Speaking at the end of the Third National Executive Cabinet Retreat at the KCB Leadership Centre in Kajiado County last week (on Friday 20 June), President William Ruto warned that any public official responsible for loss of public funds would be held personally accountable.
“We should be able to know who has been awarded what tender and at how much and know how many people participated. And all of this should be on a platform open to the public,” Ruto said, giving an example of a procurement officer who has awarded contracts to a hospital that has not even been built.
“When such an audit discloses fraud, the officials concerned should take personal responsibility,” he said.
He pointed out that some public servants have a conflict of interest in government procurement, and warned that this must stop.
“There is still significant conflict of interest in procurement. Instead of fairly serving the public, you are serving your personal interest,” he said.
To further enhance accountability, President Ruto disclosed that the government will establish a Single Treasury Account that will make all funds in ministries, departments, and agencies visible to the National Treasury.
“Why do we have public funds in all manner of bank accounts earning interest that benefits individuals?” he posed.
The President also noted that the government is shifting from cash-based to accrual accounting that will ease the adoption of zero-based budgeting.
These changes, he pointed out, will significantly cut down on wastage and misappropriation of public funds.
Saying more than 22,000 government services have been digitised and are available at the click of a button, President Ruto warned that action will be taken against any agency resisting the online payment system.
On training for public servants, the President said the government will re-orient it so that it becomes more appropriate for a population that is younger, more educated, smarter, and, at times, more restless.
Technology, he explained, will be used to make the government leaner, smarter, more efficient, and more effective.
President Ruto urged public servants to steer clear of personal interest in government procurement.
“There is still a lot of conflict of interest in government. Instead of serving the public, you are serving your personal interests,” he said.
President Ruto urged members of the Executive to work together because they are one government, devoid of silos.
In a statement read by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, the retreat resolved to strengthen government service delivery, and enhance performance and public confidence.
