Teso North MP Oku Kaunya/HANDOUT
Teso North MP Oku Kaunya has urged senators to support the National Assembly’s push to retain the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), warning that its scrapping would undermine grassroots development.
Kaunya said senators risk public backlash if they reject the proposal by MPs to preserve the fund, which he described as a lifeline for many communities, particularly in the education sector.
Speaking at Kasogol during the commissioning of 16 new classrooms for eight primary and comprehensive schools in the constituency, Kaunya defended the role of NG-CDF in transforming public education and other community-based projects.
"It's unfortunate that the NG-CDF faces legal threats of extinction. As MPs, we passed the bill to retain it, and we’re optimistic that the Senate will back us,” Kaunya said.
He added that Kenyans should judge senators harshly if they fail to endorse the fund's continuation, noting that MPs are acting in the public’s interest by protecting it.
Kaunya said lawmakers are also pushing for increased budgetary allocations to construct more classrooms across the country, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, to improve infrastructure and learning outcomes.
The 16 classrooms commissioned were co-funded by Teso North NG-CDF and the Ministry of Education. Beneficiary schools include Kasogol Kapel, Arthur Odera Primary School, Kisiombe Comprehensive School, Kakurikit, Amagoro Comprehensive and Primary Schools, Akiriamasit Primary School, Akibui and Korisai Primary Schools.
“We are working to ensure that even schools currently without classrooms will be considered. Let’s feed and grow our children, and ensure they receive a disciplined, quality education,” he said.
Koteko and Kokare primary schools also received Sh1 million each to undertake renovation works. Separately, Kaunya urged residents to participate in the ongoing 10-day Mpox vaccination campaign.
He also called on the Busia county government to heighten surveillance following reports of Ebola-related deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Uganda already on high alert.
