Members of Parliament have passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to entrench the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), and the Senate Oversight Fund (SOF) into the Constitution. The bill sailed through the Second Reading with 304 votes in favour and zero opposition, and at the Third Reading, 298 MPs again voted unanimously to support it.
The Bill, jointly sponsored by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo and Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga, was introduced on 12th March 2025 and referred to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs (JLAC). After conducting extensive public participation across all 290 constituencies, the committee reported that over 98% of submissions supported the proposal. JLAC Vice Chair Prof. Guyo Jaldesa affirmed the overwhelming national backing, stating, “A staggering 98.4% of Kenyans support the entrenchment of these Funds. The people have spoken.”
The amendment aims to offer legal certainty and constitutional protection to the three funds. NG-CDF supports grassroots development in education and infrastructure; NGAAF targets vulnerable groups including women, youth, and persons with disabilities; and SOF is meant to strengthen the Senate’s oversight of county governments.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah hailed NG-CDF as the most impactful fund for grassroots development, saying it complements rather than competes with county resources. MPs from both sides of the political divide shared personal stories and constituency success stories to illustrate the funds’ tangible impact.
Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi highlighted NG-CDF’s role in supporting education infrastructure under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Kaiti MP Joshua Kimilu noted that over 280 students from his constituency receive scholarships annually. Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed revealed the growth of secondary schools in his area from three to twelve, thanks to NG-CDF.
With the National Assembly’s approval surpassing the constitutional two-thirds majority threshold, the Bill now proceeds to the Senate for further consideration. If passed, it will mark a significant milestone in safeguarding grassroots development funding in Kenya.
