By Contributor
Members of National Assembly have raised alarm over the delays by the National Government Constituency Development Fund Board in disbursing funds to the constituency offices.
This follows a point of order raised by Kitui Central MP, H on. Makali Mulu over delays in the release of the funds. Hon Mulu questions arose after the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning had given the MP’s assurances on the matter at a Members retreat held in Naivasha in January this year.
“I believe the Executive is taking this house for a ride. The CS Treasury had given this house commitments in terms of timelines for the release of the NG-CDF disbursements. We are now in March and nothing has been honoured by the NG-CDF board. We cannot continue this way,” proclaimed Hon. Mulu.
Eldas Constituency MP, Hon Adan Keynan stated “The issue of NG-CDF is a very serious issue Mr. Speaker, and it is Kenyans who are suffering. As a house we are accountable to the people who elected us and we are accountable to the Constitution of Kenya.”
The fifth term legislator additionally questioned the NG-CDF board for failing to approve project proposals done by the Constituency CDF Committee’s for development and bursary programmes in the constituencies.
“We passed the annual Budget in July last year and 10 months later we can’t even get approvals from the NG-CDF board for development projects that are to benefit our people. If we truly do care about our children who need to go to school through bursaries, then something must be done,” said Hon. Keynan.
Funyula MP, Hon. Wilberforce Oundo also cautioned that failures in the dispersing of funds would lead to Kenyans not receiving adequate value for money from the dedicated funds.
“By failing to release these funds, I foresee there being audit issues come next year. Seeing that the financial year is almost coming to an end, Kenyans are likely not going to get value for money as there is not enough time for projects to be completed,” stated Prof Oundo.
Suba South MP, Hon. Caroli Omondi on his part raised queries on the reduction of NG-CDF allocations in the 2025/2026 Budget Policy Statement despite the fund being among the most effective funds aimed at directly benefiting the people.
“This is the only fund that that works for the people, this is the only fund that leaves no pending bills and this is the only fund that is not overpriced in terms of procurement. In the current BPS I have noted several areas of real concern, key amongst them being a reduction in the NG-CDF allocation by Kshs 38 billion,” pointed out Hon. Omondi.
Kitui South MP, Hon. Rachael Nyamai called for the CEO of the NG-CDF board to be invited before the house to address the Members of Parliament on the challenges that are currently plaguing the Board.
The Speaker of the day, Hon. Farah Maalim directed the house leadership through the House Business Committee to invite the NG-CDF Board, CEO Mr. Yusuf Mbuno to appear before the Committee on Tuesday next week to answer to the Member’s concerns.
