Is CDF the MPs heart-melting kitty?

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has accused Members of Parliament (MPs) of misusing the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), shedding light on why lawmakers often staunchly defend it.

Speaking on Spice FM on Friday, January 17, the Senator alleged that the NG-CDF is being abused under the guise of assisting the poor.

“Members of Parliament are receiving Sh250 million each for their education bursaries. I completely disagree with my Party’s claim that the Controller of Budget is fighting the government by questioning the allocation. The money, supposedly meant for helping the poor, is being misused,” he said.

The NG-CDF has been a subject of controversy following recent directives by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o.

 In a letter dated January 14, Nyakang’o stipulated that counties would only fund pre-primary education, village polytechnics, home craft centers, and childcare facilities. Funding for primary, secondary, and tertiary education, she noted, would remain the responsibility of the national government.

In August last year, MPs proposed consolidating all bursaries, scholarships, and Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans into a single fund to streamline the financing of education.

Onyonka criticised the lawmakers' behavior, claiming their loyalty hinges on NG-CDF disbursements.

“When CDF is delayed by just two days, MPs threaten to block bills. It’s because this is the kitty they share,” he said.

He further alleged that the government uses CDF and similar funds to “soften” politicians’ stances. 

“You can’t take Sh109 billion, share it among MPs, the Executive, the Presidency, and other government departments, and not expect misuse. This kitty is designed to pacify leaders,” Onyonka added.

According to the senator, such funds are also used to silence dissenting voices in government. “Governors use sharable revenue to ‘buy off’ county assembly members, ensuring each MCA gets at least Sh200,000 monthly to avoid impeachment. Similarly, the Presidency grants favors to quiet overly vocal critics,” he alleged.

Onyonka decried what he termed a “rotten governance system,” where politicians, once elected, exploit public funds under the assumption that Kenyans will forget their actions. 

“Leaders loot because they believe Kenyans have a short memory,” he said.

In September 2024, High Court judges Kanyi Kimondo and Roselyn Aburili declared the NG-CDF unconstitutional.

"The National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) as amended in 2022 and 2023 is hereby declared unconstitutional. NGCDF and all its projects, programs, and activities shall cease to operate on the stroke of midnight on June 30, 2026," the bench headed by Justice Kimondo ruled.

They also ruled that MPs failed to consult the Senate to develop the new law suggesting that it should end by June 30, 2025.

MPs then vowed to stall the budget process if they did not have the kitty fund.