Opposition leader Raila Odinga has strongly criticised Members of Parliament over fresh attempts to amend the Constitution to legalise the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), terming it a threat to devolution. Speaking in Thika during the funeral of Dr Francis Ngaru, Raila warned against selfish legislative actions that undermine the spirit of the 2010 Constitution.
“The Constitution brought devolution; devolution needs to be defended,” Raila asserted, condemning what he described as narrow political interests aimed at shifting control of the NG-CDF from governors to MPs.
The NG-CDF, which allocates 2.5 per cent of national revenue to constituency-level projects, was declared unconstitutional by the High Court, with a directive that it be wound up by next year. This has sparked a fierce standoff between MPs and governors, with Parliament refusing to pass the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill 2025, thereby blocking funds for county projects.
Parliament’s Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Minority Leader Junet Mohamed have openly opposed allowing governors to control the fund, arguing that MPs were equally elected and must retain influence over development funds.
Raila, however, maintained that devolved functions should be fully financed and executed by county governments. He cited healthcare, roads, and housing as areas where the national government continues to interfere unnecessarily, despite their constitutional designation as county responsibilities.
“Health is devolved, provide the funds down there. Roads are also devolved; we don’t need KeRRA and KURA operating in counties,” Raila said, adding that only the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) should manage international highways and national trunk roads.
Raila emphasised that the national government should focus on its core mandates and allow counties to manage their own development. He suggested that if the Constitution were properly followed, counties could receive up to 35 per cent of national revenue, as opposed to the current 15 per cent.
He concluded by stating that only when counties are empowered financially and operationally can governors be held fully accountable for service delivery within their jurisdictions.
