Nairobi, Kenya; Members of Parliament (MPs) have strategically begun the modification of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) in the constitution.
Giving solid outlines during the debate in the National Assembly on November 2, 2022 , the lawmakers stated that the fund should be purely included in the line of law as it has proved to be effective in transforming constituencies at large.
Getting into a new chapter, the bill was co-sponsored by the Matungulu MP Stephen Mule, and his Gichungu Constituency counterpart Robert Gichumu significantly pushing for the re-establishment of the Fund.
At a highly ranked note in the Constitution Amendment Bill of 2022, the two are also seeking the establishment of the Senate Oversight Fund (SOF), National Government Affirmative Fund (NGAF), and Economic Stimulus and Empowerment Fund (ESEF).
“Our main agenda is to simply protect these funds in the constitution from this year in order to be at the safer hand of identified developments. Our righteous idea is magnificently rated at the top ranking also our strategies inclusive from both sides of safeguarding the process is gearing up the validated significance,” Matungulu MP Stephen Mule said.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly Minority Leader-Opiyo Wandayi uplifted his support for the bill by saying that it will manage to look upon issues concerning the CDF act over the principles of separation of power between the Legislature and the Executive.
“Showcasing the fact that anybody coming with a negative mind on NG-CDF is non-operational and also an enemy of the people as well. This house must follow the right direction of any developmental idea,” Opiyo Wandayi said.
Giving out a digested point of view, Ruaraka Member of Parliament TJ Kajwang, however, made advice to the proposers of the amendment to bring four separate bills on the four (4) funds that they seek to entrench in the constitution.
On a high note, Ruaraka MP TJ-Kajwang mentioned in a statement that failure to present four separate bills before the house might sabotage the bill.
According to the law which reads “There be established the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (GCDF) which shall be a National Government Fund consisting of monies of an amount of not less than 5% of all the National Government share of revenue as divided by the annual Division of Revenue Act enacted pursuant to Article 218.
Furthermore, the Lawmakers argued that the bill does not in any way affect the function and powers of the County Governments in anticipation of any efforts to the bill.
On the other hand, the bill reads; “the establishment of the Senate Oversight Fund (SOF) in the Constitution will ensure that the Senate is adequately empowered and resourced to perform its function as stipulated in Article 96 of the constitution”.
In addition, the Parliament will typically seek to get assistance from the legislation to provide for the operation of the economic stimulus and empowerment fund whose objective will be to empower persons living with disabilities, youth, women, and men.
Finally, the quest to introduce new and modified National Government-Constituencies Development Funds (NG-CDF) comes days after President William Ruto asked Members of Parliament to take solid and outlined measures to protect the Sh44.3 billion Fund and establish an oversight kitty for Senators to oversee cash transfers to counties.
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