- In a video that has since gone viral, the MPs who were at a resort in Mombasa were seen chanting "Wabunge Msilale bado Mapambano" (MPs don't sleep the struggle continues).
- The government has only sent Sh7 million to the NG-CDF accounts. Sh2 million is for administration while the other Sh5 million is for bursary.
Image: NA
Members of the National Assembly on Monday boycotted an induction retreat over the failed disbursement of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
The Star has established that the legislators wanted the delay in releasing the funds addressed.
In a video that has since gone viral, the MPs who were at a resort in Mombasa were seen chanting "Wabunge Msilale bado Mapambano" (MPs don't sleep the struggle continues).
MPs boycott induction meeting in Mombasa demanding for the release of National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) and Constituency Development Fund (CDF). pic.twitter.com/7MPD6EHae4
— Kennedy murithi (@murithi_kenn) January 23, 2023
The MPs say Treasury CS Prof Njuguna Ndung'u has been playing games with them.
"The CS has been promising us Sh2 billion a week for the last two months. Nothing has come. We cannot sit in this five-star hotel while our children are not in school because they do not have bursary," Yatta MP Robert Basil said.
Basil said there are at least 10,000 students in his constituency who need bursary and Sh5 million which he has so far received just is not enough.
The government has only sent Sh7 million to the NG-CDF accounts. Sh2 million is for administration while the other Sh5 million is for bursary.
"The children of the rich are in school, while those of the poor are at home. It is better the government told us they have no money and extend the school holidays," said Basil.
The MPs expect at least Sh50 million for bursary.
Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba and his Mvita counterpart Mohamed Machele said the education of children supersedes that of MPs.
"It is absurd to use hundreds of millions of shillings to host all the over 300 MPs here yet our children cannot go to school," Kipchumba said.
Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri took to Twitter to say that he was in support of the retreat's cancellation and the resources channelled to working for the people of Kenya.
He insisted that the education of Kenyan children should be prioritised over anything.
I fully support the decision to cancel the Mombasa retreat for MPs until CDF funds for bursaries are disbursed. It is important that we prioritize the education of our school children over luxury retreats for members and resources allocated to the areas that need it the most.
— Hon Captain Ronald Karauri (@KarauriR) January 23, 2023
Karachuonyo MP Adipo Okuome said the NG-CDF is not a political matter.
"We have been very tolerant. The government told us they are going to give us Sh2 billion every week starting December 9. You know the date today. We have got nothing until the school opening dates have caught up with us," he said.
"Surely, can I be an MP who doesn't care? Sleeping in a five-star hotel when my children cannot go to school?" Okuome posed.
However, according to the National Assembly's Twitter account, the retreat is ongoing and had only sort clarification over the delay and audience with the National Treasury.
"During the opening session, MPs present in the meeting sort clarification over the delayed disbursement of the National Government Constituency Development Funds for education bursaries even as schools open today across the country, MPs further sort audience with the Treasury."