MP Innocent Mugabe Threatens to Lead Kenyans to Stage Demo Over NG-CDF Constitutionality

• Likuyani Member of Parliament Innocent Mugabe said the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) must remain under legislators
• Mugabe warned that should the fund be moved to counties as suggested by some leaders, he is ready to lead a demonstration in protest
• MPs are collecting public views for an amendment to the constitution to entrench in the constitution the NG-CDF, National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) and the Senate Oversight Fund

Kakamega: Likuyani Member of Parliament Innocent Mugabe has warned against any attempt to deny MPs access to the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).

Mugabe insists that the NG-CDF must remain under the legislators and not be moved to devolved units, as some leaders have proposed.

What will happen if counties manage NG-CDF?

According to the MP, moving management of the fund from legislators will expose more Kenyans to poverty.

He argued that the fund has had a huge impact compared to the billions that devolved units get annually.

"CDF has brought many benefits to my constituency. Students from poor families are in school courtesy of CDF. In my sub-county, we have new police posts like Mabusi and Nzoia built using the fund, so instead of putting it under county governments, it should be enhanced even further,” Mugabe said.

He spoke during a public participation exercise for the proposed constitution amendment that seeks to entrench in the Constitution the NG-CDF, the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), and the Senate Oversight Fund.

The legislator said should the latest attempt to align the fund with the constitution fail, he is ready to lead Kenyans and other MPs in a peaceful protest.

“Poor families in this county depend on the fund for educating their kids. Schools are being put up under CDF, so abolishing it will bring many problems in the community," he said.

Mugabe’s sentiments were echoed by Likuyani student leaders. Led by Gilbert Shitoshe, the students said they are ready to join MPs in pushing for the fund’s entrenchment in law.

"As a student who benefited from the kitty, I want to tell those against the fund that their days are numbered. If they try to play with CDF, they will face our wrath,” Shitoshe said.

Why Mt Elgon network want MPs delinked from controlling NG-CDF kitty

Meanwhile, members of the Mt Elgon Development Network have proposed that the kitty be delinked from the MPs.

Addressing the press in Bungoma on Wednesday, May 7, the members, led by Pius Muyeyi, said MPs should only remain with their constitutional mandate of oversight, legislation and representation.

They further said all the funds, now under NG-CDF, should be channelled to the constituencies as a conditional grant through the line ministries of the national and county governments.

“We propose the establishment of an independent committee at the constituency level headed by the deputy county commissioner who has no political interests to handle and implement projects that have been agreed in public participation”, Muyeyi said.

Why High Court declared the NG-CDF unconstitutional

MPs' attempt to amend the constitution is part of their renewed efforts to ensure the NG-CDF remains operational within the law after the courts declared the NG-CDF Act unconstitutional.

While declaring NG-CDF unconstitutional, the High Court’s three-judge bench ruled that the kitty contributes to duplication of roles and wastage.

The three judges further noted that the fund undermines devolution.

There has been a debate as to whether it should be retained or not, with former prime minister Raila Odinga stating that the fund must go.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke