Kiambu Member of Parliament, MP Waithaka Machua, has strongly defended the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), calling it a vital tool for improving schools and supporting students in need. He dismissed proposals by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to transfer the fund to county governments, arguing that such a move would disadvantage many constituencies and disrupt local development.
Speaking at the commissioning of four new classrooms at Mungai Chengecha Primary School, the MP highlighted the significant impact of the CDF. He stated that the fund has been instrumental in building critical school infrastructure and providing bursaries that have enabled thousands of students from poor backgrounds to access education.
“My leadership remains committed to ensuring that every school in our constituency has the basic infrastructure necessary for quality learning,” Machua said, adding that his office is planning more development projects for the school.
Parents attending the event echoed his sentiments, praising the fund’s effective use in improving classrooms and expanding educational opportunities. They insisted that the fund should remain under the direct management of MPs, where its benefits are clearly felt at the grassroots level.
ALSO READ:
Rev. Edith Koech takes over as new Chief Principal of Kenya High School
Machua also detailed several projects his office has undertaken with the help of the CDF, noting that they addressed a significant issue with sanitation at Kiambu Primary School by constructing 22 additional toilets, which has greatly improved conditions for pupils.
In a move to enhance security, the MP also announced the construction of a new concrete perimeter wall at Mungai Chengecha Primary School. He explained that the previous lack of a secure wall led to theft of school property and vandalism.
“The school playground is also used by the public to play football, and with no good perimeter wall, school property such as taps was stolen and doors damaged,” he said.
Looking ahead, Machua promised that the new classrooms will be tiled and renovated where needed. He also noted that nine classrooms have already been constructed to accommodate junior secondary school students.
ALSO READ:
TSC secretariat staff get three-year window to meet new promotion rules
He also highlighted the success of the constituency’s bursary program, stating that it has been distributed fairly, with all eligible applicants receiving support. “In the first batch of bursary disbursement we gave to over 7,000 beneficiaries, the second batch we gave out to over 9,000 applicants and the third batch we gave out to over 11,000 beneficiaries,” he said. He added that his office has gone a step further by making all day secondary schools in the area tuition-free.
Machua also mentioned other comprehensive school makeovers funded by the CDF, including tiling, new roofing, paint jobs, installation of cabro paving, and solar lighting to help schools cut down on electricity bills.
At the same time, parents at the event urged the government to ensure the timely disbursement of school capitation funds. They warned that delays are forcing them to pay extra fees at a time when many households are struggling with the high cost of living.
According to them, timely funding would ease the financial burden on families and help schools operate smoothly.
By Felix Wanderi
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
