Members of Parliament (MPs), from Kakamega County have come out in strong defense of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), declaring their readiness for a referendum on whether the fund should be constitutionally anchored or scrapped.
Led by Lurambi MP Bishop Titus Khamala, the leaders stated that NG-CDF is a proven and effective model of devolution. “Any-one calling for the removal of CDF from MPs or seeking to scrap it, is an enemy of the people. If there is a true living example of devolution that works, it is the CDF. It has directly impacted ordinary citizens, particularly through education,” said Khamala.
He made the remarks while hosting officials from the State Department for Economic Planning, led by Principal Secretary Bonface Makokha, and NG-CDF Board Chair Olago Aluoch during a tour of projects in Lurambi. The projects valued at Ksh798 million, were implemented between 2020 and 2025.
Khamala expressed confidence in the fund’s accountability, asserting that NG-CDF is tightly controlled and cannot be misappropriated. “Every disbursement is traceable, and the President’s representative is a signatory to the fund. How can the money be stolen?” he posed.
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“By scrapping CDF, we would be discarding a system that has proven effective. As lawmakers, we may not have the final say, but we support a referendum, so the sovereign people can determine the fate of this impactful fund,” he said.
Dismissing allegations of mismanagement, Khamala said the fund is tightly regulated. “CDF money cannot be stolen. Every disbursement has a unique code, and the mandatory signatory is the President’s representative in the Deputy County Commissioner’s office. How then can the funds disappear?” he questioned.
Principal Secretary Makokha gave Lurambi Constituency a clean bill of health regarding fund utilization. He noted that the Ksh798 million disbursed over five years had facilitated the construction of 536 learning spaces. With a 98 per cent utilization rate, the education sector received the bulk of allocations.
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“CDF has delivered results. Over 20,000 students—57 per cent of them girls—have benefited from bursaries, and 536 classrooms have been built. In addition, new police posts have improved security, over 2,000 trees have been planted under climate-smart initiatives, and water-harvesting systems installed,” said Makokha.
Also Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali while inaugurating a new building at Imulama Primary School, said opponents of NG-CDF are out of touch. “This fund has changed lives. The people should decide its future, and the focus should be on increasing, not removing it.”
Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka urged ODM leader Raila Odinga to reconsider devolving NG-CDF to counties, warning that some governors seek to misuse the funds. NG-CDF CEO Yusuf Mouno emphasized strict guidelines and accountability, while Board Chair Olago Aluoch called for stronger oversight rather than scrap- ping the fund supporting grassroots economic transformation.
By Juma Ndigo
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