A Parliamentary retreat in Mombasa by Members of Parliament hit a snag Monday in what was seen as a protest against delayed disbursement of the National Government County Development Funds (NG-CDF).
Led by Yatta MP Basil Ngui, the lawmakers challenged the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndungu to direct funds meant for the retreat to CDF as schools re-open this week.
“Education supersedes everything, na sahii hakuna mambo ya induction, we want money… kama hamna pesa hamna induction,” Yatta MP Basil Robert Ngui said on Monday.
The programme was to provide participants with an opportunity to be taken through the place of Committees in the National Assembly and the roles of Members of Parliament in their respective Committees.
CDF which was enacted in 2013 and changed in 2015, was declared unconstitutional days to the General Election by the Supreme Court.
This means CDF committee in constituencies are disbanded.
After being sworn in, President William Ruto promised to bring back the funds saying it has been impactful.
“Don’t worry at all, not because of any other reasons or some cause, but because CDF has really given us value for money in many areas,” said the President.
With stage set for admission of both the KCPE and KCSE candidates this year, MPs worry a good number of needy students will remain in their homes over the delayed CDF funds.
“Watoto wa maskini wako nyumbani na Watoto wa mwatajiri wako shuleni.. for all students to go to school, the government has to release CDF money,” added Ngui.
