A fresh political storm is gathering over the future of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), after ODM leader Raila Odinga proposed that the multi-billion shilling kitty be stripped from Members of Parliament and transferred to county governments.
The suggestion, made during the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, has drawn sharp rebuttals from Parliament, with leaders warning against dismantling what they term as one of Kenya’s most successful grassroots development tools.
On Friday, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula led legislators in defending the fund during the inauguration of a new tuition block at St Veronica Ranje RC Comprehensive School in Kanduyi constituency.
“NG-CDF has been a game-changer. When I first entered Parliament, it did not exist, but since its introduction, it has funded projects that have significantly changed the lives of our people. Even after I retired as a Member of Parliament, it remained in place and it is still here today,” Wetang’ula said.
The Speaker credited the fund with transforming the education sector and strengthening community projects over the last two decades. He also recalled the legal battles that once threatened its survival, noting that amendments by Parliament and a subsequent Court of Appeal ruling had firmly anchored the kitty in law.
“Across the country, if you walk into any village, the most visible projects — be they classrooms, laboratories or health facilities — have been funded through NG-CDF,” Wetang’ula added, terming the court’s endorsement a victory for grassroots development.
Kanduyi MP John Makali echoed the sentiment, insisting CDF’s visibility far outpaces county projects. “Unlike many county projects, CDF investments are evident everywhere. It is a model of development people can see and appreciate,” he said.
Webuye East MP Martin Pepela challenged those advocating for the fund’s transfer to counties to seek a referendum. “Let Kenyans decide. The answer will be clear,” he declared.
Raila, however, maintains that MPs should confine themselves to lawmaking, representation, and oversight, arguing that managing funds undermines devolution and duplicates county functions.
The debate now sets the stage for a political showdown over the future of a fund many communities regard as the backbone of local development.
