By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 10 June 2026 - There are statistics. Then there are statements.
And this week, Kisumu County has delivered a statement.
As Kenya races to digitise public spending through the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system, one county has emerged as the undisputed pace-setter. Not Nairobi. Not Mombasa. Not Nakuru.
Kisumu.
The numbers are striking.
Kisumu has opened 755 tenders through the National Treasury's Electronic Government Procurement platform and successfully closed 711 of them, placing it far ahead of every other county in the country.
The achievement underscores the county's commitment to President William Ruto's public sector transformation agenda and the National Treasury's push to migrate government procurement from manual systems to a transparent digital platform.
Kisumu County Executive Committee Member for Finance, Economic Planning and ICT, Mr George Okongo, said the county had deliberately prioritised implementation of the e-GP system in line with directives from the National Treasury.
"We are fully committed to the implementation of the Electronic Government Procurement system as directed by the National Treasury. This is a key reform that is intended to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability in the management of public resources," said Okongo.
He said the transition from conventional procurement processes to a fully digital platform was a major undertaking that required adjustments from both county staff and suppliers.
"We appeal to members of the public, contractors and suppliers to be patient as we continue implementing the system. Like any major reform, there are challenges associated with the transition, but we are steadily addressing them to ensure a smooth and effective procurement process."
Okongo said the county views e-GP as more than a compliance requirement, describing it as a governance tool that will strengthen public confidence in county expenditure.
"The future of public procurement is digital. Our goal is to ensure that every procurement process is transparent, competitive and accessible while safeguarding value for money for the people of Kisumu."
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The figures suggest Kisumu has not merely embraced the reform. It has become its flagship success story.
At a time when several counties have yet to record meaningful activity on the platform, Kisumu is demonstrating what full adoption looks like. The county's lead is not marginal. It is overwhelming.
For years, public procurement has been viewed as one of the weakest links in public financial management. The e-GP platform seeks to change that by creating an electronic trail from procurement planning to contract award and payment, reducing opportunities for manipulation and improving oversight.
Kisumu's performance therefore offers a glimpse into what the National Treasury hopes to achieve nationally.
The county's success also reinforces its growing profile as a regional leader in public sector innovation and digital governance.
Good governance stories often struggle to command headlines.
Yet this one deserves attention.
Because while many counties are still preparing for take-off, Kisumu is already flying at cruising altitude.
And the numbers leave little room for debate. This week, when it comes to electronic government procurement, Kisumu is not just leading Kenya.
It is setting the pace for the rest of the country.