Ndindi Nyoro Implores Ruto's Govt to Increase NG-CDF Allocation, Village Elder Stipends
- Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro insists that the NG-CDF kitty is important, its validity being challenged in court
- Nyoro observed that many needy households banked on the kitty for the education of their children, asking the national government to pump more resources into it
- ODM leader Raila Odinga is among the adversaries of the NG-CDF; Raila said the kitty was depriving counties of their rightful roles
As the debate on the validity of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) rages on, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro wants the kitty allocated more resources.
Source: Facebook
He urged the national government to bolster the funding for the NG-CDF as well as the county bursary programmes.
The lawmaker, who served as the chairman of the Budget Appropriations Committee until recently, asked the state to prioritise education in the budget for the 2025/26 fiscal year.
Is NGCDF needed by poor households?
Nyoro explained that contrary to the assertion that the NG-CDF is an investment for the MPs, it plays a vital role in supporting needy students, calling for more resources.
He further implored the Controller of Budget to okay the county governors to continue issuing bursaries.
Nyoro warned that any move to sabotage the issuance of the bursaries would leave many families in disarray.
According to him, the debate on whether or not the kitty is valid is of no importance to the ordinary citizenry.
"For equity to thrive, we must step down resources from the national government in Nairobi, to the grassroots. That is why we must support CDF, to get more funding, because without it, it can be very hard to access funds at the grassroots. The debate in the country should not be whether the CDF should exist or not, it should be whether we are going to add more resources into the NG-CDF," Nyoro said.
Besides the question of the NGCDF, Nyoro urged the Ministry of Education to be timely in disbursing capitation to schools.
The MP noted the institutions of learning were not benefitting from the funding, as the late disbursments are being used in settling debts.
He also proposed a monthly stipend be sanctioned for the village elders, whom he observed undertake significant roles in their respective jurisdictions.
Nyoro suggested that the village elders be entitled to at least KSh 8,000 every month.
Source: Twitter
Nyoro's sentiments came in the face of the raging debate on the usefulness of the NG-CDF.
Why Raila Odinga is against NGCDF
ODM leader Raila Odinga is among the adversaries of the kitty.
He often blames the MPs for their greed, saying they are striving to secure the funds while denying more funds to the counties.
According to Raila, the MPs overstep their mandate by holding onto the funds, yet their roles are limited to representation, legislation, and oversight.
Raila's sentiments came after Senate was opposed to the proposition by their colleagues in the lower house, who wanted the shareable revenue to counties slashed to cover the shortfalls caused by the death of the Finance Bill 2024, which President William Ruto declined to assent to following Gen Z protests.
The MPs want the counties to be allocated KSh. 380 billion, but the senators want the allocation capped at KSh 400 billion.
The impasse has also affected another bill, the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, which has yet to be enacted to allow the 47 counties to receive their equitable shares.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
