MPs endorse Senate changes to Uwezo Fund

BY WILFRED AYAGA

The supremacy war between the National Assembly and the Senate, which had threatened the distribution of Sh6 billion under the Uwezo Fund, were allayed after the House approved various regulations proposed by the Upper House.

Members supported various recommendations by the Senate, which seek to regulate the management and distribution of the funds at the grassroots.

Among the regulations supported by members is the role of the Cabinet Secretary in the appointment of youth and women representative to the oversight body that will monitor the use of the funds.

The Senate had also proposed Sh480 million that would go towards capacity building for the youth and women before they access credit facilities from the Fund.

When the various amendments were tabled before the House, Majority Leader Adan Duale said the supremacy wars between the two houses should not be a barrier to the implementation of the Fund.

He said the amendments that had been proposed by the Senate did not vary greatly with the initial proposals that had been made by members of the Lower House.

“The role of a bicameral House is to find a common ground for the common good of the masses. Both the Senate and the National Assembly should aim at reaching a common ground on issues that affect the people,” Mr Duale said.

The Uwezo Fund was proposed by President Uhuru Kenyatta as one of his campaign pledges last year.