CDF Will Not Die, MPs Vow

This comes after the Members of Parliament agreed to form a task force to formulate the way forward following a ruling by the High Court declaring the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Act 2013 unconstitutional.

During the legislators' Kamkunji meeting chaired by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, the law makers agreed to form the team by Tuesday next week to ensure that the CDF kitty is not abolished.

Speaking after the meeting, nominated MP Isaac Mwaura further said that MPs will not allow the CDF kitty to be under the county governments.

The legislators, drawn from both the Jubilee Alliance and the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD), are also weighing the option of seeking a court's clarification on whether the kitty is in conflict with the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

On Wednesday, the National Assembly adjourned normal business to debate the High Court ruling.

The adjournment motion by Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo received support from MPs across the political divide, with most of them criticizing the ruling saying the Judiciary should not interfere with their functions.

REVENUE DIVISION

The High Court ordered Parliament to amend the Act within the next 12 months lest it becomes null and void.

The Constituency Development Fund was introduced in Kenya in 2003 after the 9th Parliament passed the CDF Act 2003.

The CDF Act provides that the government set aside at least 2.5% of its ordinary revenue for disbursement under the program.

Three quarters of the amount is divided equitably between Kenya’s 290 constituencies whilst the remaining quarter is divided based on a poverty index to cater for poorer constituencies.

The fund was designed to support constituency-level, grass-root development projects.

The CDF program has facilitated the putting up of new water, health and education facilities in all parts of the country, including remote areas that were usually overlooked during funds allocation in national budgets.

By Maureen Murimi

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parliament CDF Maureen Murimi Mps Members of Parliament CDF Act

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