Sigor Member of Parliament Peter Lochakaong has called for a bigger allocation of Constituency Development Funds in marginalized areas to develop and alleviate poverty in the areas.
The legislator who launched the Sigor Constituency CDF Projects for education and security worth Kshs 48 million for the financial year 2018/2019 at Marich Primary school ground said he has allocated funds for schools infrastructure, school buses and setting up of 4 chiefs’ offices at Lomut, Batei, Wakor and Masol areas.
Lochakapong, who also availed Sigor NG-CDF vehicle which will assist in monitoring and implementation of constituency programs and activities pointed out that there is need for transparency and accountability.
Lochakapong expressed concerns that the economic inequality between constituencies, saying it will widen if a proper formula is not devised. “The current national government Constituency Development Fund (CDF) disbursement formula is discriminating. Currently, all constituencies are getting a similar amount of NG-CDF cash. We have constituencies with poor school infrastructure and other public amenities whose responsibility lie with the national government,” he said, “We need to review this. If we give each constituency the same amount we should not expect West Pokot schools to compete fairly with schools in the Country. These constituencies should get more funds if they are to be equal to other constituencies.”
He reiterated that most schools in West Pokot County are in poor conditions and have no classrooms, laboratories and desks. “Some children are forced to learn under trees. The formula for disbursing the national government Constituency Development Fund is discriminatory and should be reviewed,” Lochakapong said. However, the MP said CDF is a great national program that has proved to be effective in initiating development projects since independence.
