The debate on whether the National Government Constituency Development Fund should continue or be stopped after a Court ruling that made the kitty moribund continued with three legislators from Kilifi county pushing for its continuity.
Kaloleni MP Paul Katana, Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi and Ganze MP Kenneth Kazungu said the kitty was the only hope for many Kenyans and its end will affect them.
The leaders speaking in separate events in Kaloleni, Malindi, and Kilifi towns said the fund had assisted in the issuance of bursaries, addressing school infrastructural challenges, a move that saw millions of students access their education in conducive environments.
Speaking during thanksgiving in Jilore, Kakuyuni, and Ganda wards in her constituency, Ms. Mnyazi said the court ruling that ended NG-CDF Â was a bad move on Kenyans who depend on the kitty for bursaries apart from the classrooms and other infrastructures the fund used to perform.Â
She said the judgment was unfair and that NG-CDF should continue.
She asked President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua to make sure the fund remains.
“As we speak now schools are open and most of the parents had circled their hopes for bursaries through the kitty. It is now clear that they will have to stay at home because there are no fees. I am asking our President Dr. Ruto to make sure that NG-CDF continues. Kindly let this be an area of concern when you convene Parliament. I know Mr. President and your Deputy once served as MPs and you know the importance of retaining the kitty. Kindly revert the court decision and bring back the kitty to the hands of the MPs,” the legislator said.
Mr. Katana speaking in Mariakani, Kaloleni constituency said they were taken aback by the court decision and said such decisions affect millions of silent Kenyans who depend on the kitty, especially on the education sector. He termed the decision as malice and called for the immediate retention of the fund.
“When we were busy campaigning some people went to court to stop the kitty saying it was illegal. But what we know is that there was illegality in the CDF 2013 act that was nullified. But again we made some changes and came up with the NG-CDF act in 2015. This act still stands and I want to tell outgoing Treasury CS Ukur Yatan to stop his threats that the NG-CDF will no longer receive its funding. We shall push as legislators regardless of our political diversity to push for the retention of the kitty. Each Kenyan can attest that NG-CDF is the backbone of many Kenyans and a single person can’t take hostage this kitty on behalf of more than 50 million Kenyans,” said Mr. Katana.
Mr. Kazungu said that without the kitty, many projects in constituencies will not run, hence affecting the lives of the people. He said the matter will feature immensely when Parliament convenes.
“As we speak there are currently many students who are at home because there are no bursaries. NG CDF was a key player in this. So as MPs we shall make sure this kitty is retained and the goodness of it is that we had an assurance from the President himself in Nairobi during our meeting and assured us that the kitty will remain,” said Mr. Kazungu.
The Ganze lawmaker said regions such as Ganze are experiencing a lot of challenges and the CDF had played a key role in addressing those challenges,” he said.
Mr. Kazungu told off Mr. Yatan s sentiment that no funds will be channeled through the kitty adding that they will team up as legislators in Parliament to make sure that the kitty is retained for the benefit of Kenyans.
