NGCDF committee to amend act to increase funds allocation

The National Government Constituency Development Fund Committee in the national assembly has expressed its intention to amend the CDF act so as to increase the allocation, especially to large constituencies so as to achieve development.

Speaking at Sio secondary school the committee vice chairman Mohammed Omar said the act needs to be amended as currently all the constituencies receive a flat rate allocation yet some constituencies have a large population while others are in marginalized areas.

He said the committee will soon be tabling the amendments on the floor of the house and was optimistic that the members of parliament will be in support to enable an equitable distribution of resources.

“Since the inception of the fund many people have benefitted especially at the grass root level and it, therefore, needs to be strengthened so that many Kenyans benefit,” he said.

Area MP Wafula Wamunyinyi said he has been the greatest causality in funds allocation saying he has eight wards and has to grapple with the meagre allocation he receives so as to ensure he has funded projects in all the wards yet other constituencies have only three wards.

He disclosed that since CDF is more directed to funding projects in the education sector he has had a hard time to fund projects saying many schools such as Sio fully depend on the fund saying an increase in the allocation will be highly appreciated.

Kisumu town MP Fred Ouda concurred with the sentiments and proposed for the Governor’s entertainment allowance to be slashed and the money be channelled to the kitty saying Kenyans need to be empowered economically.

Turbo MP Janet Sitienei said it was a genuine call for the fund to be increased saying some areas receive little allocation yet there is much to be done. The committee will also visit Kabuchai constituency whose member of parliament James Lusweti Mukwe is also a member of the committee.