Members of Parliament have launched a vigorous battle to preserve the Constituency Development Fund , a program that has been a lifeline for local communities.
The CDF, established in 2003, is a vital mechanism for channeling resources directly to constituencies, allowing MPs to fund development projects such as schools, roads, health centers, and other community initiatives.
However, the future of the fund is currently under serious threat following a ruling by the High Court, which declared the fund unconstitutional last year.
The court ruled that the CDF violated the Constitution by bypassing the national government’s budgetary and financial management systems, which it argued should be managed directly by national government entities, not individual MPs.
This ruling has since then sparked a fierce response from parliamentarians, who are now rallying to save the fund from abolition.
The debate over the CDF’s future has escalated in the August House, with MPs from both sides of the political aisle rallying to protect it. A series of impassioned speeches, parliamentary motions, and meetings have seen MPs argue that scrapping the fund would deny their constituents much-needed resources for development.
Speaking on the matter, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro passionately stated, “The CDF has transformed lives in the grassroots. It has been the only reliable source of development funds for many rural areas where government funding and oversight fail to reach effectively. It cannot just be wished away.”
Nyoro, a vocal critic of the government’s attempt to reduce the fund’s role, has emphasized how crucial the CDF is in ensuring equitable distribution of resources across the country. His sentiments echo those of other MPs, particularly from constituencies with limited access to government resources, who argue that the fund has helped bridge the gap in social services and infrastructure development.
Another MP, Suna East’s Junet Mohamed, emphasized that the CDF’s existence was vital in maintaining political stability and peace in various regions.
“Without the CDF, many of us would have no means of directly impacting the communities that voted for us. This fund gives us a platform to demonstrate our commitment to serving our people,” Mohamed stated.
However, not all MPs are in favor of maintaining the status quo. Some lawmakers, particularly those aligned with the executive branch, have argued that the CDF needs to be restructured to ensure better accountability, transparency, and adherence to the Constitution. These MPs advocate for a system that prioritizes national development planning over constituency-based funding.
“I support the concept of equitable development, but the current model of the CDF is flawed. It bypasses critical national planning processes and accountability measures. We cannot continue operating outside of the national budget framework,” said Nominated MP Maina Kamanda.
Kamanda’s concerns are shared by those who believe the CDF undermines the role of the national government, particularly in budgeting and financial oversight. They argue that the fund has fostered corruption and mismanagement in some areas, with allegations that MPs have used CDF money to bolster their political careers or enrich themselves. As a result, they have called for the fund to be reviewed, and more stringent regulations put in place to ensure its proper use.
The situation remains highly tense, as MPs have been scrambling to craft a legislative framework that will allow the CDF to continue functioning in some form. Some parliamentarians have proposed amendments to the Constitution to create a legal foundation for the CDF, ensuring that it can continue to operate legally while addressing concerns about transparency and accountability.
A recent proposal put forth by the Parliamentary Budget and Appropriations Committee suggests that the CDF be integrated into the national government’s financial planning processes, but with a special allocation to ensure that constituencies continue to receive the support they need. This compromise seeks to address both the concerns raised by critics of the fund, as well as the need to preserve a direct funding mechanism for local development.
“We are not opposed to reforming the CDF, but it must continue to serve the people. We want to ensure that even as we introduce reforms, the core objective of reaching the most remote and underserved parts of the country is not lost,” stated Nyando MP, Jared Okello.
The parliamentary debate over the future of the CDF has now entered a critical phase, with MPs expected to hold a series of votes to determine the direction of the fund. Some MPs are calling for a national referendum to settle the matter, ensuring that citizens have a say in the future of the fund.
In the meantime, MPs are determined to continue their fight, with many indicating that they will not relent until the CDF is secured. As the matter continues to unfold, one thing remains clear: the battle to save the CDF is far from over, and the outcome could have significant implications for the way development is funded in Kenya’s constituencies for years to come.
With many Kenyans closely following the ongoing developments, it remains to be seen whether the MPs will succeed in preserving the CDF or whether the legal and constitutional challenges will ultimately prevail. The outcome will undoubtedly shape the future of local development across the country.
