Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji has strongly defended the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF), saying it plays a critical role in sustaining Kenya’s education system and must be safeguarded within the framework of the Constitution.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s Daybreak program on Monday, Mukunji described the fund as one of the most effective development vehicles in the country. He argued that instead of questioning its relevance, reforms should be focused on strengthening it to meet community needs more efficiently.
According to the legislator, the NGCDF has been instrumental in facilitating the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). He noted that the fund has provided much-needed infrastructure in schools, particularly laboratories and other facilities essential for the CBC framework.
“If it were not for NGCDF, things such as the new education model, the CBC, would be a serious problem in Kenya today. But NGCDF has actually worked to ensure that CBC is working well,” Mukunji said.
Highlighting achievements in his constituency, he revealed that all primary schools hosting junior secondary classes now have laboratory equipment, courtesy of the fund. “From my constituency alone, as we speak, all my primary schools that have junior secondary classes have laboratory equipment today, courtesy of NGCDF. And that is a program that we did,” he stated.
The MP contrasted the agility of NGCDF with the bureaucracy of the national government, which he said often stalls project implementation. He emphasized that while schools continue to suffer delays in capitation disbursements, NGCDF has ensured quick, direct support to learning institutions.
“Some of the projects that NGCDF has done today would have taken years for the national government to implement. Capitation delays would have ruined our education system, but CDF has stepped in to cushion schools,” he remarked.
Mukunji maintained that NGCDF funds are managed prudently and directly benefit local communities. He called for constitutional alignment of the fund to guarantee its continuity.
“This fund is working, it is helping Kenyans, it is very prudent, resources are not getting lost anyhow. So, let’s align it with the Constitution to ensure that we are able to continue enjoying the fruits of NGCDF,” he said.
