Siaya Deputy Governor Ouma Onyango has called on the Senate to push for a review of the electronic procurement system (E-procurement) claiming it is delaying the implementation of projects in counties in rural areas.
Onyango who was speaking to a delegation of Senators on Tuesday led by Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro at the Siaya Governor Cornell Rasanga’s office where he called on the upper house to intervene on behalf of counties to salvage planned projects.
He argued that lack of infrastructure in the rural counties was making it difficult for contractors to adhere to the procurement procedures and meeting the requirements.
“Many contractors in the rural areas are not tech savvy therefore such requirements through the e-procurement only sidelines them yet they are capable of undertaking the same job as those in Nairobi,” said Onyango.
He raised concerns that the use of e-procurement was giving a leeway to some briefcase contractors who are tech savvy to get the bulk of the contracts.
“These briefcase contractors know how to use the technology and are swift leaving those who are not behind and snatching away opportunities from them,” said Onyango.
Earlier in September the Council of Governors opposed the online procurement introduced three months ago and called for its immediate suspension.