Residents of Matayos and Butula constituencies have expressed their support to entrench the NG-CDF, NGAAF and Senate Oversight Fund into the constitution.
Speaking during a public participation forum at Matayos Constituency Office, residents led by Dismas Wanzala from Bukhayo West Ward said entrenching these funds into the constitution will give them an assurance for development.
“NG-CDF has been helping us by financing various development projects in our constituency. Many of our children have been educated through CDF bursaries. Schools have been developed with many having modern classes that are fully equipped. The impact this fund has had in the education sector cannot be undermined and that’s why we want the fund to continue being available.”
Grace Odera from Burumba ward said the local women have benefitted from the NG-CDF and NGAAF through several initiatives.
“We have been given grants as women in our self-help groups to do business and as per today, women have been empowered through these initiatives. The burden of paying school fees has not been huge because of the bursaries which have been covering from secondary schools to the tertiary institutions” she said.
John Makokha from Matayos south ward underscored the importance of NG-CDF in the establishment of many police posts thus bolstering security in the sub county.
“Today we have many police posts that have been constructed through NG-CDF funds. Other administration offices from Deputy County Commissioners’ office to the sub chiefs’ offices have been constructed through this fund bringing services closer to the citizens thereby enhancing security. We are in support of making the provision of these funds to be entrenched in the constitution.”
In Butula constituency, residents were in support of entrenching these funds into law highlighting various key benefits the constituency kitty.
“We never imagined being connected to electricity but because of NG-CDF today, many homesteads have electricity. This has enabled many people, mostly the youth, to open up businesses like welding, barber shop and even saloons among others. Looking at that, our security has improved and even our livelihood” said Vincent Ochanda from Lugulu Ward.
Matayos MP Geofrey Odanga said the NG-CDF has helped to bring developments in the constituency adding that county governments have failed to show their capability of proper use of the allocated funds.
“The county government wants to be given this fund but when you look at what they have done with the fund they have received, you will realize that there is no tangible work that has been done. Many schools here have the best classrooms because of this fund. Let us think of the common mwananchi when we want some action to be taken. I believe that if this is enacted into our constitution, our people will continue to benefit more with developments.
He added that entrenching NGAAF and Senate Oversight Fund into the law will catalyze more empowerment initiatives and accountability in the county.
“The NGAAF has benefitted many people through grants given to the groups by our women representatives. We want to see more of this because this has a direct impact on economic growth in people’s lives,’ he said, adding that senators have been facing challenges in discharging their oversight role on governors.
The public participation is being carried out in all 290 constituencies led by the respective area MPs after the high court declared the funds unconstitutional.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
