Lesuuda defends NG-CDF, rejects calls to scrap it

Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda/KNA

Samburu West Member of Parliament Naisula Lesuuda has defended the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), insisting it remains a critical tool for supporting education and security at the grassroots.

Speaking during the National Assembly retreat at Serena Resort in Mombasa, Lesuuda dismissed calls by Azimio leader Raila Odinga to transfer the fund to county governments, saying the model continues to deliver tangible benefits nationwide.

“NG-CDF has been beneficial to the people in all our 290 constituencies. It is not money for MPs as many assume. The fund is managed through a structured framework with a national board, constituency boards, and fund managers who are accountable to the board,” she said.

The legislator noted that the fund was restructured after court challenges to avoid conflict with devolved functions.

While services such as health, water, and roads fall under counties, NG-CDF now supports bursaries, school infrastructure, and security facilities, including chiefs’ and police posts.

Lesuuda cautioned that abolishing the fund would disadvantage learners in marginalized regions.

“If NG-CDF is removed, children from Samburu West would have to queue at Jogoo House in Nairobi for bursaries or wait for approvals for school construction from the ministry,” she said.

She urged governors to concentrate on their devolved functions, such as health, water, and roads, rather than targeting NG-CDF.

The MP added that Parliament has already passed legislation to entrench the fund in the Constitution, with the matter now before the Senate.

She called on Kenyans to watch how their senators vote, stressing that counties currently do not offer bursaries.

“I respect my party leader, who has taught us democracy and the importance of speaking up. He has his view, and I have mine. In my view, NG-CDF should remain because it directly supports our people,” Lesuuda affirmed.