Wamuzi News Ke
In a late-night parliamentary flashpoint, the National Assembly today passed the NG‑CF (National Government Constituencies Fund) constitutional amendment amid fierce criticism. With an overwhelming 304 MPs voting in unison, the move to embed three funds under MPs’ direct control triggered sharp backlash from opposition and civil society, now labelling the move “a constitutional coup“.
The hastily debated amendment secures parliamentary control over three major public funds — Channels of public tithe that critics warn could fuel corruption, patronage, and unchecked spending at constituency level.
One legislator, speaking under anonymity, told our newsroom:
“We were told to vote as one, no debate, no dissent.”
Opposition leaders have condemned the vote as a betrayal of devolution and transparency. Kura Party’s leader declared the amendment “an epic power grab that guts public accountability”. They warned that enshrining MPs’ control over multiple funds could take Kenya “back to the era of lump-sum, opaque constituency handouts”.
Critics argue that this move undermines the work of the Senate and County Options Funds Act. Those laws were crafted to ensure counties received equitable and transparent funding—guardrails now eroded by the constitutionally entrenched NG‑CF amendment.
On the other side, backbenchers defended the legislation, claiming it expedites local access to vital development resources. The Majority Leader argued that since MPs already manage these budgets, constitutional anchoring simply ensures stability and capacity to deliver public services “without bureaucratic bottlenecks”.
This development sets the stage for Senate scrutiny, where a majority vote could finalize or reject the amendment. Prominent senators and legal experts have already flagged looming constitutional crises, promising rigorous challenge as the measure moves forward.
Meanwhile, public watchdogs and anti-corruption bodies are preparing legal counter-moves. Lawyers suggest the amendment may violate Section 85 of the Constitution—which prohibits abuse of public resources for political gain.
What happens next?
Senate approval is essential within 90 days. Should Senators endorse the amendment, it requires President Ruto’s signature and potentially a national referendum. But if Senate rejects, MPs may attempt to override—a rare but potent clash across Kenya’s governance layers.
Why it matters: Constitutional entrenchment of funds previously linked to misallocation means MPs could now wield unprecedented control over local development cash. That raises urgent risks—politicized funding, lack of public oversight, and dramatic erosion of devolution principles.
Stay locked in: As the dust settles, the Senate debate will determine whether this is parliamentary overreach—or a turning point in Kenya’s constitutional integrity.
