By Tony Wafula
Bungoma County residents have asked legislaters to increase the National Government Constituency Development Funds (NG-CDF) from 2.5 percent to 5 percent so that more bright students can get sponsorship to access education.
While addressing journalists during a public participation event attended by National Assembly committee members in Kanduyi Constituency, Lumumba Wekesa – an activist – appealed that the NG-CDF be increased, adding that with the 100 per cent transition, many constituencies needed more funding to cater for the growing student population.
In his appeal, Lumumba urged the MPs present to pass the bill that was proposed by Butere MP Tindi Mwale of increasing NG-CDF funds to 290 constituencies in Kenya.
“Please, it is my humble appeal that our legislators discuss the bill and pass it so that learners from poor homes benefit greatly from the constituency kitty,” he said, adding that the money allocated for constituencies is little and cannot sufficiently serve the fast growing population.
He added that constituency kitty should even be increased to ten percent because many bright students have been locked out due to insufficient funds.
“Kanduyi is an example of a constituency that is so big and requires more funds to cater for the huge population, NG-CDF does not fund the education sector but also other government projects within the constituency,” Lumumba noted.
MPs led by Mt. Elgon legislator Fred Kapondi said that for the amendment of the NG-CDF to be done public participation should be done and citizens’ views captured.
“Today, we are here to take your views that will be presented before on the floor of the house and discussed by MPs, this exercise is going to get views,” Kapondi said.
He also added that all views will be put together and presented before the house.
Currently, every constituency is getting Sh137 million out of the Sh14 billion allocated from national treasury but now residents have backed up an amendment bill by Butere MP Tindi Mwale to allocate Sh82 billion where every constituency will get Sh270 million for the kitty.
Also present during the public participation event was Butula MP Joseph Oyula and Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi
