By Dr. Philip Zeal Chebunet Lecturer and Political Communication Expert
Governors in Kenya and elsewhere often resist digital procurement systems (like e-procurement or IFMIS) because such platforms reduce discretion, increase transparency, and limit opportunities for manipulation.
Here are some of the main reasons:
- Loss of Control and Discretion
Digital systems standardize processes and leave audit trails, limiting the governor’s ability to influence who gets tenders.
Manual procurement allows for patronage, favoritism, and rewarding allies.
- Reduced Opportunities for Corruption
E-procurement minimizes “off-the-books” dealings such as inflating costs, ghost suppliers, and kickbacks.
Governors and their allies may view this as a threat to the networks that fund their political survival.
- Transparency and Auditability
Digital platforms generate records that can easily be accessed by oversight bodies like the Auditor-General, EACC, and Controller of Budget.
Many governors fear increased scrutiny and exposure.
- Political Patronage Systems
Governors often rely on procurement contracts to reward supporters and financiers.
Digital procurement makes it harder to “fix tenders” or channel contracts to loyalists.
- Capacity and Change Resistance
Some county procurement officers and suppliers lack the technical capacity to use digital systems effectively.
Resistance may partly be due to fear of the unknown, disruption of routine, or the learning curve.
- Weak Enforcement
While the national government pushes for e-procurement, enforcement at the county level is inconsistent.
Governors exploit this gap to continue with manual, less-transparent methods.
In short, the main driver is political economy: digital procurement threatens patronage, rent-seeking, and informal networks that governors use for power and resources.
