The National Government Constituency Development Fund chief executive officer Yusuf Mbuno has said that the fund should be entrenched in the Constitution.
Speaking to the media, Yusuf Mbuno said the Supreme Court ruling that annulled the CDF Act of 2013 did not in any way affect the National Government’s Constituency Development Fund act of 2015 under which the fund is fully established.
He noted that the Supreme Court ruling affected the old act of 2013 and so the current revised Act of 2015 is fully compliant and recognized as a legitimate act.
He noted that the funds have been very instrumental in promoting the constituency developments.
He refuted claims that the NG-CDF is a duplication of devolved functions.
“NG-CDF addresses functions assigned to the National Government which are clearly outlined in the Fourth Schedule. The kitty enables the 290 Constituencies to implement projects key among them being Education right from primary, secondary, tertiary, and university. Over 70% of the fund goes to education." He said
The National Assembly early this week resolved to set up a joint committee with the Senate to lead the Constitutional amendment process.
The 20-member team is tasked with collecting views from members in an exercise that will culminate in the fund being legalised.
Both Houses will now produce an equal number of 10 members. The MPs named five members from each of the majority and the minority sides.
Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah said CDF has had a positive impact in their constituencies.
"This particular fund has turned around the lives of our people," Ichung'wah said.
