By A, KNA
Kuresoi South Member of Parliament, Joseph Tonui, has defended the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), saying the fund has played a critical role in accelerating development and transforming constituencies across the country.
Speaking at Chemaner Senior School during the handover of a 51-seater school bus, the legislator said NG-CDF has been instrumental in supporting education and other grassroots development projects.
His sentiment comes after Court of Appeal on Friday handed Members of Parliament a decisive victory by reviving the NG-CDF law.
The MP who lauded the ruling noted that millions of students from needy families have been able to access education through bursaries funded by the programme.
“I wish to thank the court for granting justice to the Kenyan child. NG-CDF is the only fund you can feel its development at the grassroot across the 290 constituencies unlike the billion counties receive annually,” said Tonui.
“I want to urge those battling the fund in court to refrain as they will paralyze education and security in the country. I must also thank the president for demonstrating faith with NG-CDF,” he added.
Tonui argued that scrapping the fund would have negatively affect development at the constituency level, warning that many areas would remain underdeveloped and ongoing projects could be stalled or abandoned altogether.
He called on petitioners to stop legal battles that are set to derail development
“The NG-CDF has touched lives directly, especially in education. Through bursaries, children from disadvantaged backgrounds have been able to stay in school and pursue their dreams,” he said.
The MP further lauded the courts for considering the tangible development outcomes that have been achieved through the fund, emphasizing its impact on schools, infrastructure, Security and other community projects.
At the same time, Tonui has called on the youths in the constituency to shun drugs and substance abuse noting that the practice has derailed economic empowerment and development among the youth as majority have failed to meet the necessary requirement in some employment opportunities like police and other discipline forces.
The legislator regretted an incident where over 1000 youths were discontinued from military training for having used substances banned in the camp.
