Wednesday, April 9, 2025 - The United States has once again raised the alarm over widespread corruption and extortion targeting American investors seeking Government tenders in Kenya.
In its 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) report, the Office
of the U.S Trade Representative says corruption continues to influence public
procurement in Kenya, despite previous warnings.
“Tenders are often not announced in a timely and transparent
manner.”
“Foreign firms, some without proven track records, have won Government
contracts when partnered with well-connected Kenyan firms or individuals,”
reads the report from Jamieson Greer’s office.
The U.S notes that Kenya’s efforts to digitise procurement
through systems such as the Integrated Financial Management Information System
(IFMIS) have failed to address the underlying issues.
“Concerns about IFMIS
include insufficient connectivity and technical capacity in county government
offices, central control shutdowns, and security gaps that render the system
vulnerable to manipulation and hacking,” said President Donald Trump’s trade
advisor.
The report also highlights delays and inefficiencies in
customs clearance, citing a “complex and inefficient process” involving “many
steps with uncoordinated offices,” and inconsistent application of
classification and valuation rules.
Additionally, Washington raised concerns about the
availability of counterfeit and pirated goods in the Kenyan market.
“Kenya signed the World Intellectual Property Organization
(WIPO) Copyright Treaty in 1996 but has yet to ratify it,” the report notes.
This comes just days after Kenya began implementing the
e-Government Procurement (e-GP) System, backed by the IMF, aimed at boosting
transparency and curbing graft in both national and county government
contracting.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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