Devolution lobby urges Senate to reject NG-CDF Bill

The Kenya Devolution Civil Society Organisations Working Group members called for full transfer of devolved functions and increase of revenue allocation to counties. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Devolution lobby group has urged senators to reject the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Bill, saying it violates the Constitution and undermines devolution and the separation of powers.

In a press statement released on Wednesday, July 17, the Kenya Devolution Civil Society Working Group (KDCWG) said renewed attempts to revive the NG-CDF are unconstitutional, despite previous court rulings.

"The courts have ruled that constituencies are not development units. Yet attempts to revive NG-CDF undermine devolution and separation of power," KDCWG stated.

The group described the bill as a legislative attempt to bypass devolution by creating parallel funding structures outside established county government frameworks.

"Parallel funding structures like NG-CDF and new 'presidential development initiatives' bypassing county governments and parliament's budgetary role," KDCWG stated.

KDCWG also accused the Executive of reviving political patronage by centralising development decisions and resources at the State House. The group said county leaders are being summoned to the State House to negotiate for development funds, which ties development to loyalty rather than need, undermining equitable resource sharing.

The group further claimed the National Government is sabotaging devolution by withholding funds for county functions while continuing to implement roles constitutionally assigned to counties.

"National Treasury withholding funds for devolved functions. The national government continues to directly implement devolved functions like rural roads, markets, agriculture, and healthcare. The Omnibus Bill is still stuck at the Attorney General's office," KDCWG stated.

They also criticised the Devolution Conference, saying it no longer serves its intended purpose.

"The Devolution Conference has been hijacked by elites, priced beyond reach of ordinary citizens, and reduced to a county government's internal affair rather than a national dialogue," KDCWG stated.

The group is now demanding the immediate release and passage of the Omnibus Bill, restoration of Parliament's full budgetary role, an end to duplication of functions, full funding for transferred functions, and a halt to State House-controlled development patronage.