The National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) today appeared before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning to enlighten the Committee on its operations, programs, successes and challenges affecting the Fund.

Led by their Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yusuf Mbuno, the National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) Board informed the Members that this year marks 20 years since the Fund was launched, adding that they have so far received Ksh435 billion from the National Treasury benefitting over 6 million students in Kenya through burseries. He however expressed some challenges such as delays in receipt of funds and the challenge of incomplete projects.

After the presentation of the Fund’s results over these years, the Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Kuria Kimani advised the Board to develop a structured framework that provides real time information, develop well-structured Budget estimatesindicating pending arrears while Hon. Julius Rutto called for a creation of a standard template on Bursary issued towards the schools which is to be reconciled with acknowledgement receipts from learners.

Hon. Joseph Munyoro and Hon. Paul Biego were concerned of the reporting structure of the Fund Managers in the constituencies. Hon. Adipo Okuome noted that there was a communication breakdown and tasked the Board to outline their role.

While making his presentation, Hon. (Dr.) John Ariko notified the Committee that he was a beneficiary of the NG-CDF Fund through out his university course. He advised the Board to do serious checks and balances in the disbursement of funds for accountability purposes.

As part in the discussion, Hon. David Mboni and Hon. UmulKheir Kassim called on the Board in regards to the NG-CDF sharing formula, to be more equitable in the constituencies against the varied features across the country like high number of primary schools, enrollment rate among others.

The transition of incomplete projects was a concern to Hon. Joseph Makilap and Hon. Soud Machele who urged the Members to have a vote head for such projects so as to have them completed.

The CEO also requested the Committee consider amending the Act establishing NG-CDF to have it entrenched in the Constitution.