Members of Parliament (MPs) on Monday, January 23, stormed out of the Parliamentary Committee members retreat in Mombasa over the delayed disbursement of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
Speaking to the press, Kesses lawmaker Julius Rutto stated that the retreat would not proceed unless the National Treasury disbursed funds for the NG-CDF.
Rutto declared that for Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u to address the convention, the money needed to have reflected in the constituencies' CDF accounts.
He explained that the funds were crucial given that schools reopened on Monday, January 23.
"For us to remain here spending taxpayers' money when Kenyans are suffering is totally unethical. We will cease every engagement until the funds are released," he stated.
His sentiments were reiterated by Kasarani lawmaker Ronald Karauri who reckoned that it was important for the government to give education the priority it deserved.
"It is important that we prioritize the education of our school children over luxury retreats for members and resources allocated to the areas that need it the most," Karauri added.
Mwatate MP Peter Mbogho maintained that the induction process would not go on as planned as learners risked being kicked out of school for not paying fees.
In footage seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the lawmakers broke into the 'bado mapambano' song at the conference hall.
The Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly released a program of the retreat that was to start on Monday, January 23 and end on Saturday, January 28 where members of the various committees would be inducted into their roles and mandates.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, who approved the retreat, explained that it was aimed at giving the members tools to carry out their representation, oversight, and legislation effectively and efficiently.
"“The programme provides participants with an opportunity to be taken through the place of Committees in the National Assembly and the roles of Members of Parliament in their respective Committees," Wetangula explained.
On January 3, the majority of the MPs confirmed that they received the first tranche of the CDF and called for the constituents to apply for bursaries.
