President Ruto defends CDF, pledges to reinstate the fund

President Ruto defends CDF, pledges to reinstate the fund

President William Ruto addressing the 13th Parliament. PHOTO| PSCU

President William Ruto has defended the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) and pledged to reinstate the fund. 

CDF was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court on grounds that its provisions violated the principle of separation of powers and appeared to create a different level of revenue sharing.

To have the fund reinstated, the president is proposing the review of the law governing CDF to align it with the Constitution. 

President Ruto compared his tenure as Eldoret North Member of Parliament where he served a term before the establishment of the CDF, and two after the fund's establishment, saying it had contributed greatly to transforming the lives of many Kenyans.

“I know the contribution the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) has made in making life better for our citizens. Having served in Parliament for 15 years, before and after the establishment of NG-CDF, I know the difference it makes is monumental,” said Ruto.

He added: “I believe there is a way NG-CDF can be aligned to the tenets of the Constitution.”

President Ruto was speaking on Thursday during his first appearance before members of the bicameral parliament.

And to also appease the Senate whose bid to have an oversight fund had been frustrated by the National Assembly, the president proposed the creation of a fund to aid them adequately monitor the use of funds deployed to the counties in light of rising cases of misuse and plunder of public resources.

“With regard to the Senate and its constitutional mandate, I believe the two Houses should work together to set up the Senate Oversight Fund. This will be used to provide oversight over millions allocated to counties,” said Ruto.

His other legislative agenda include a push for the amendment of the standing orders to admit cabinet secretaries to respond to questions raised by the MPs on how the ministries were being run and on emerging issues. This is adopting the practice of the 10th parliament where every Wednesday afternoon ministers would come before the floor of the house and members would pose questions.


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