President Ruto warns MPs against misusing CDF funds, calls for accountability of Ksh.57B

President William Ruto has cautioned Members of Parliament against misuse of CDF funds telling them to account for the Ksh.57 billion National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF)funds allocated this year.

Speaking on Friday at the 20th-anniversary celebrations of NG-CDF, the president underscored the significant role of CDF in driving local advancements throughout the country saying it has led to the facilitation of education for more than 1.2 million needy students in the country. 

He asked MPs to formalize NG-CDF within the constitution to enhance grassroots development and meet the needs of citizens across the country.

“You as the thirteenth parliament have a single opportunity to make sure that CDF becomes constitutional and there is one thing you must do for this fund and I say so because you know how long we have been dodging legal handles from all manner of people and the cure you know when IU came into office, I wrote to parliament and I gave you five aspects that I think will assist us as a country to Consolidate democracy and the development paradigms,” Ruto said.

His deputy Rigathi Gachagua who was also at the meeting added: “The CDF played a significant role in my path to leadership. Don’t leave it to your PA and chairman of the fund. Take good care of it. This is a good fund but please join our government in the end approach.”

Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula on his part, urged MPs to come up with ways through which CDF could be of more value to the public.

“I want to assure members of parliament that CDF is here to stay and to grow and that we have now expanded t to ICT to the environment the law is in your hands you need to change CDF to any other requirements in the society, we will facilitate you,” he stated.

NG-CDF Board chairperson Olago Aluoch said the Fund has facilitated the establishment of 3087 new primary and secondary schools including 16 schools for students with special needs. 

He noted that the same has gone a long way in supporting the government policy of providing free primary and secondary Education.