Leaders back efforts to anchor NG-CDF in law

Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, KenGen MD Peter Njenga, Water Trust Fund Chair Eric Ruto and Eldama Ravine MP Musa Sirma during tree-planting in Narasha Forest, Baringo county, on December 13, 2024. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] 

As the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) faces the risk of being scrapped over its constitutionality, a section of leaders has vowed to back a proposal to save it.

Eldama Ravine MP Musa Sirma said that they will fight for the kitty to the end reiterating its impact on society economically and socially.

“NG-CDF is a fund that came to bring transformation to the grassroots even before the Constitution 2010. Its impact has been felt in all constituencies across Kenya,” said Sirma.

According to him, the fund is a unique equaliser that has changed the lives of many Kenyans through its projects, especially in the education sector.

“Before CDF, we used to hold fundraisers for building public schools. The number of schools expanded and constructed from scratch under CDF is more than what existed before,” he said.

“I feel that those who have been fighting CDF may not be aware of the benefits it has brought to Kenyans. One would have expected the groups to push for its inclusion in the law,” he said.

Sirma said that with the Bill recently brought to Parliament to entrench NG-CDF in law, all MPs will rally behind the proposal to protect the fund.

Former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri who was ranked the best in utilisation of the fund said that doing away with it should not be an option.

“Under my tenure, we constructed police posts and administrative offices across Bahati using NG-CDF. This boosted service delivery, especially on security matters,” said Ngunjiri.

He further noted that the number of polytechnics constructed in all the constituencies has gone a long way in equipping the youth with skills to earn a living directly or underemployment. “The polytechnics have become a game changer in our job market. We now have skilled people with documents that allow them to get employed formally within and outside Kenya,” he said.

The former legislator further noted that the allocation of CDF funds towards bursaries to learners at different education levels has helped in lifting the heavy burden off the parents’ shoulders.

He, however, noted that the Fund may have been misused in some areas through corrupt dealings but according to him, this is not reason enough to scrap it.

“Just because a few people may have taken advantage of the kitty, we shouldn’t do away with it to the detriment of a majority of Kenyans who are benefitting. Such issues should be handled on a case-to-case basis,” he said.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said that the executive fully supports for NG-CDF to be enshrined in law.

“The executive fully supports all efforts being undertaken by Parliament to save NG-CDF from the litigation that has been there. No Kenyan who has benefitted directly, indirectly, or seen others benefit can wish it to be terminated,” said Wandayi.