MPs have called for the increase in NG-CDF allocation from the current 2.5 per cent of the national budget to five per cent to fund more development projects in the constituencies.
The current allocation comes to about Sh41 billion for the 290 constituencies, meaning each electoral area gets around Sh137 million every financial year.
If doubled, that allocation will rise to Sh82 billion with each constituency getting in excess of Sh270 million annually.
The proposal was made by members of the National Government Constituencies Development Committee in the National Assembly. They said that they are satisfied with the effective use of the funds and that value for the money is being felt at the grassroots.
The members who included Kassim Tandaza (Matuga), Richard Tong'i (Nyaribari Chache) and Robert Mbui (Kathiani) on Friday joined Gatundu North MP Wanjiku Kibe during the inspection of ongoing rehabilitation of primary schools in the constituency.
The MPs said that such developments, especially in the education sector, are much needed, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic where social distancing is highly required and necessary among learners.
They said increasing the CDF allocation would actualise development.
“CDF money allocated to our constituencies is prudently utilised and value for the money is being felt by Kenyans at the grassroots levels. However, needs within the constituencies are many and cannot be solved by the current allocation and that's why we are seeking to have the money increased,” Tong'i said.
He said a motion has been moved in Parliament to compel the government to increase the kitty.
Mbui said members of the NG-CDF boards in all the 290 constituencies have been trained on proper management and utilisation of the funds to ensure that the money is spent on its intended purposes only.
“If there’s a fund that is prudently managed in the country it’s the CDF kitty because we have properly trained managers. This is the reason why more developments are being witnessed across the country,” he said.
Tandaza challenged those entrusted to manage the funds in the constituencies to exercise high levels of integrity and ensure that the funds are used to help locals.
Kibe said the CDF kitty has been the game-changer in terms of actualising developments in villages across the country. He said an increment in allocation would translate to more development projects.
“We have managed to do a lot of development work with the current allocation but I’m saying that more developments in the education, security and health sectors would be witnessed if the kitty is doubled. The CDF kitty is strictly managed and not misused hence the many developments that are being witnessed in constituencies,” Kibe said.
Kibe called for stringent measures to be taken against unscrupulous individuals who spend the cash to enrich themselves at the expense of residents.
The Gatundu North CDF has managed to rehabilitate 50 primary schools out of the 60 in the area. The rehabilitation included changing roofs, tiling, painting, fixing doors and windows as well as replacement of damaged desks, MP Kibe said.
