President-elect William Ruto has assured elected Members of Parliament that the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) will not be abolished.
Speaking during a Parliamentary Group meeting with Kenya Kwanza leaders on Wednesday, September 7, Ruto stated that CDF for MPs is going to be an instrument that will continue to exist.
"We know the legislation that was taken to court is old," the outgoing Deputy President stated.
“ I know we believe in the rule of law, the legislative that was taken to court is old. It is not the legislation that currently is the basis on which is CDF is going on.”
The President-elect further detailed the importance of CDF to Members of Parliament. He recalled has he served as a Member of Parliament before the kitty was introduced and after the fund was adopted, noting that it was a game-changer.
“ The difference is immense, I know how important CDF is. It is one of the funds whose impact can be seen in any part of Kenya,” Ruto stated.
He also warned elected MPs to ensure that they use the funds appropriately, saying the money will ensure that they are reelected or sent home by voters in 2027.
“How you use CDF will determine how long you stay in parliament, it is simple as that,” Ruto said.
Ruto’s statement came after the Supreme Court ruled that the Act, which was enacted in 2013 and changed in 2015, was unconstitutional.
A five-judge-bench led by Chief Justice Martha Koome ruled that the CDF Act violated the principle of separation of powers, hence making the funds unconstitutional.
“A fund directed at service delivery mandate can only be constitutionally complaint if structured in a manner that does not entangle members of Legislative bodies in the discharge of the service delivery mandate however symbolic,” the judges ruled.
The National government was sending at least Sh100 million every year to each constituency and the MPs were to use the kitty for development projects including funding needy students in the society.
Additionally, William Ruto asked the male members of Parliament to be kind to Women representatives because they confront more challenges and are judged by the same standards as MPs yet their kitty is only a 10th of what they receive.
“I want to ask the MPs especially the men, please be kinder to our Women Members of Parliament because they are fewer than us. We will have a discussion on how we can agree so that we can assist in growing our country without competing with the MPs.”
