Homa Bay County residents have expressed mixed reactions to the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 4 of 2025) to entrench the National Government Constituency Development Fund.
The bill targets to formally entrench the National Government Constituency Fund (NG-CF), National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) and Senate Oversight Fund (SOF).
Speaking during an exercise presided over by parliamentary staffers Mike Kalama and Mohamednur Abdullahi, some residents supported it while others expressed reservations about the bill.
In Suba North, a number of residents supported the bill, saying the NG-CDF and NGAAF have benefited many people in the country.
Residents Vivian Binge and Yashon Owili said the funds have ensured many underprivileged children received bursary support and improved the infrastructure of many schools.
Binge said Suba North is among the marginalized constituencies in Kenya that greatly depend on such funds.
“The benefits of NG-CDF outweigh the disadvantages. Education of many children from vulnerable families has been supported with NG-CDF hence I support its retention.” Binge said.
Yashon said the funds have benefited special groups such as elderly, disabled, youths and widows among others.
Speaking during a public participation to collect views on the proposed bill in Mbita town yesterday, Yashon urged MPs to fast-tract the entrenchment of the laws into the constitution.
“There is a need to come up with structures for using the funds prudently to curb misappropriation. The law must take its course on anyone who attempts to misuse public funds,” Yashon said.
In Rangwe constituency, Speaker of Bunge La Wenye Nchi Walter Opiyo called for safeguards against favoritism and discrimination in distribution of the funds.
He noted that some legislators have been abusing their influence on the funds to perpetuate favoritism.
Opiyo added that there is need for a law to be enacted to reduce the influence of MPs on managing the funds.
“MPs should be barred from employing their relatives in NG-CDF
offices. Oversight bodies like the office of the Auditor General should audit every expenditure.” Opiyo said.
In Karachuonyo, MP Adipo Okuome rallied residents to support the bill, saying they have managed to support education of many children by providing them with bursaries.
He argued that they have used NG-CF to build offices for chiefs, police posts and stations to improve security in the constituency.
“I urge all the Karachuonyo people to sign up and endorse the entrenchment of NG-CDF in the constitution.” Okuome said.
In Suba South, MP Caroli Omondi called on residents to avoid personal vested interests when giving their views on the Bill.
The MP appealed to Kenyans to get guided by the spirit of taking services closer to the people.
“MPs are closer to the people than governors. And in the spirit of devolution, funds should be decentralized and reach more people at the grass roots,” Omondi said.
By Davis Langat
