- The legislators said the fund has helped in numerous security and education projects.
- Each of the 290 constituencies receives Sh 137 million.
Image: Alice Waithera
Image: Alice Waithera
MPs now want the amount of funds allocated to the National Government Constituency Development Fund increased to cover more projects.
Members of the NG-CDF committee have said that a bill has been tabled in Parliament to address the matter.
The committee’s chairperson Kassim Tandaza has said increased funds will help the kitty to finance more projects and better the lives of Kenyans.
He noted that the kitty is credited with helping with security and education projects that have improved the quality of life for a majority of citizens.
NG-CDF projects, he noted, are also rarely faced with corruption scandals that hamper projects implemented by other government agencies.
Tandaza spoke while leading his committee members on an inspection of NG-CDF projects in Gatanga constituency on Friday.
He noted that projects accomplished under the kitty consume less funds compared to both county and national governments.
“My committee has split into several groups and is inspecting projects countrywide to ensure that the funds are prudently utilised,” Tandaza said.
Tandaza lauded Gatanga MP Joseph Nduati for overseeing the construction of a Sh 8 million modern Kirwara Police Station.
The station was launched by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i in March this year.
“Were it not for NG-CDF, the country would be far behind especially in security and education sectors,” he added.
The MP said majority of Kenyans want more funds allocated to the kitty to cater for the vast needs it covers in the grassroots.
Each of the 290 constituencies receives Sh 137 million channelled towards bursary, sports, environment, security and education programmes.
One of the main challenges faced in implementation of NG-CDF projects is unavailability of funds that forces the kitty to use extra funds.
In Gatundu North, Tandaza said the committee saw a project done on land that was purchased at Sh3 million per acre.
“Projects are supervised by public works officers and their unavailability drags the implementation process despite the availability of funds,” the legislator said.
The MP further noted that several kitty officers have been punished by the CDF board for failing to ensure projects are completed to the required standards.
Nduati on his part noted that his NG-CDF committee has managed to establish four new schools that have made learning easier for students.
They include Chomo secondary school, Embeni secondary school, Karangi secondary school and Greystone primary school whose construction is ongoing.
The lawmaker said Gatanga is known for prudent implementation of projects since Peter Kenneth’s time and expressed his desire to continue with the legacy.
“When the Auditor General’s report came out, it showed that my NGCDF team has done many projects and prudently utilised the kitty, and that is why the committee is here,” Nduati said.
Nduati appealed to Kenyans to ensure they support the new bill when it goes through the public participation process.
“This year, we have used up to Sh38 million in bursaries to ensure no child misses out on education because of fees.”
Nyaribare Chache MP Richard Nyagaka lauded Nduati for implementing numerous projects despite being a first-time MP.
He also thanked the President for supporting the kitty when it faced disbandment over its constitutionality.