Bondo Member of Parliament, MP Dr Gideon Ochanda, has defended the National Government Constituency Development Funds(NG-CDF), citing its efficiency in aiding the national government in delivering development and services to the remotest parts of the country.
Dr Ochanda, who weighed in on the ongoing national debate where a section of political leaders are calling for the removal of the funds over alleged interference with county government functions, termed the leaders’ statements as both inaccurate and myopic.
“Inasmuch as some of the functions performed by the national government need to be transferred to the counties, the few functions they have performed show clearly that they are unable to deliver. For instance, in a county like Siaya where there are less than 100 health facilities which the county government is unable to run effectively, how do you expect them to run over 900 schools if transferred to them?, what about the roads run by KERA, KENHA or KURA, can they do them if in Siaya maintenance of roads in the wards is a challenge?” he paused.
Speaking during an interview with the media, Dr Ochanda said there is no conflict between the national and county government functions, especially after the courts decide how the NG-CDF Act should work.
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“There is still a lack of understanding of the constitution by a section of leaders on the functions of both governments. Everything is black and white, especially after the courts redefined the NG-CDF Act. The two levels of government have clear roles and structures to decentralise services to the remotest part of the country. Therefore, the question of conflict and interference doesn’t arise,” Ochanda said.
He dismissed arguments that the national assembly members allocate themselves funds through NGCDF to starve counties, arguing that while the counties receive over Kshs 400 billion, the NG-CDF kitty receives Kshs. 56 billion annually from the national treasury.
“MPs have nothing to do with NG-CDF allocations. What is allocated as NG-CDF is 2.5 per cent of the national budget stipulated in the law. On the other hand, the counties were allocated Kshs 400 billion this year, and only two weeks ago, parliament passed legislation to give counties additional funds,” he revealed.
The Bondo legislator stated that the debate should be on how to streamline the framework that will ensure the two levels of government effectively reach the public with services and not disbanded of NG-CDF as preferred by a section of leaders.
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He stated that the national government should also determine which functions currently performed by the NGCDF need to be transferred to the county governments so that they can work effectively.
Ochanda dared ODM leader Raila Odinga to make good his threats of pushing for the removal of MPs backing NG-CDF by making it a national campaign as he had promised during the burial of his aide George Oduor last weekend adding that he would gladly welcome the move.
“I have no problem with Raila making it a national campaign to remove MPs who are backing NG-CDF from office, but he would also have to tell the public what governors who receive six to seven times the budget allocation per sub-county have done in terms of development in the counties,”
“For example, show me projects that the county government has done in Bondo over the last five years compared to what NGCDF has done in Bondo over the same period,” said Ochanda.
By Erick Nyayiera
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