Kwale leaders react over CDF ruling

A section of legislators from the South Coast led by Kwale Senator Boy Juma Boy and Lungalunga MP Khatib Mwashetani have reacted sharply to High Court ruling nullifying the CDF Act on grounds of unconstitutionality.

Speaking at Makamini in Kinango Constituency, the legislators said that most of the developments at the grassroots have been achieved through CDF, adding that there is need for the funds to be left in place.

Juma Boy, who was an MP before becoming a senator, said that during his term constituencies faced challenges in development initiatives due to lack of funds,stating that this prompted some MPs to engage in corruption in order to develop their constituencies.

"90 percent of the funds have been used wisely in development projects and the results are evident." Said Mr Mwashetani, adding that the county governments cannot reach every corner therefore development should not be wholly entrusted to them.

He said they will use the one year they’ve been given to rectify the act to make changes that will ensure the allocation is line with the constitution so that Kenyans can continue enjoying the fruits of CDF.

HIGH COURT RULING

The reactions came following High Court's ruling on Friday that declared the CDF Act unconstitutional and called on the government to amend it within 12 months, failure to which it will be nullified.

The court also noted that they have given the one year period to allow pending projects in the constituencies to be completed as well as allow for the budget cycle to run without interference.

On his part, National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale has said that Parliament will in the next three months make changes to the CDF Act to align it with the constitution.

Speaking in Bahati during a fund raiser at Bahati PCEA Girls Secondary School, Mr Duale said that although the High Court gave a 12 months period for MPs to make the necessary legislation for the CDF Act to be in line with the constitution, they will move with speed and seal the loophole in three months.

He said that since the establishments of CDF, it has been easier to achieve development projects even in areas where the government had initiated little development in earlier years, adding that the ruling was prudent as MPs will have time to make the necessary changes to the Act.

Duale further noted that if it were not for CDF, many areas in the country would still be lagging behind in development.

His sentiments were echoed by Eldama Ravine MP Moses Lessonet, Nakuru East MP David Gikaria, Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri, Molo MP Jacob Macharia, and Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru.

CHICKEN SCANDAL

The majority leader also told off the Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD) politicians for calling for the disbandment of IEBC.

Mr Duale said that having lost the 2013 elections, CORD should not engage in negative criticism, adding that the same will not deter them from fulfilling their pledges to members of the public.

The opposition led by coalition leader Raila Odinga has been in the forefront calling for the dissolution of the IEBC following its connection to the “chicken scandal” in which the body, then known ad IIEC is accused of receiving a bribe of Sh50 Million to give a printing tender to British printing firm Smith and Ouzman.

So far the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) has questioned IEBC chair Issack Hassan, former Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) boss Paul Wasanga and Energy Cabinet Secretary David Chirchir in connection with the scandal.

By Benjamin Wafula