Wamuzi News Ke
With the clock winding down to June 30, 2026, Members of Parliament are in a race against time to secure the future of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF). The Treasury has pledged that the full Sh58 billion owed will be disbursed on schedule, but concerns are growing that legal and administrative delays could force widespread disruption of projects, bursaries, and development programmes at the grassroots level.
TGhe Ground Reality: Deadlines, Debt, and Disrupted Projects
- The urgency follows a High Court ruling that declared the NG-CDF Act unconstitutional, ordering all associated programmes to wind down by the June 2026 deadline unless new legal safeguards are enacted.
- Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has reassured MPs that Sh58 billion will be released in time to meet the fund’s obligations.
- Starting in October, each constituency is expected to receive periodic disbursements—at least Sh7 billion monthly—to prevent disruption of ongoing projects.
What’s Under Threat
- Ongoing constituency development projects risk stalling. Many have already paused due to the uncertainty stemming from the court ruling.
- Bursary allocations to students at various levels of schooling could halt if funds are not released in time. MPs warn that many learners depend on these grants for survival and school fees.
- Technical and medical training institutes, as well as vital community infrastructure projects — water, health, roads — may suffer delays or collapse if committees and boards do not receive the funds.
Political Battle: The New Amendment Bill
- MPs have pushed forward the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2025, which aims to legally entrench NG-CDF, alongside the Senate Oversight Fund (SOF) and National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NG-AAF).
- Although the National Assembly passed this amendment in July (receiving 304 votes in favour), a recent High Court order blocked Parliament from forwarding the Bill to President Ruto for assent. This effectively freezes the amendment unless the court order is lifted.
Stakes Are High
- Without decisive action, MP Clive Gisairo warned that the first quarter’s NG-CDF projects—worth Sh19.5 billion—will stall. By the second quarter, shortfalls could reach Sh39 billion.
- Constituents across Kenya could lose trust in their MPs, especially if promised services, schools, bursary support, and infrastructure remain unfulfilled.
- Counties may also clash with the national government over oversight, with governors warning that unilateral directives could undermine county functions and autonomy.
