The National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Committee has given the nod to the proposed budget ceilings for the 2024/2025 financial year, marking a pivotal step in the ongoing effort to boost local development across Kenya. Chaired by Kitutu Masaba MP Hon. Clive Gisairo, the Committee’s approval allocates a substantial Kshs. 54.777 billion to the Fund—representing 2.5% of the National Government’s Ksh 2.191 trillion budget for the current financial year.....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
The allocation is set to play a crucial role in advancing the livelihoods of Kenyans by supporting a range of community-centric projects. These include the issuance of bursaries to needy students, the renovation of learning institutions, and the construction of essential public amenities such as administrative offices and police stations. Notably, this year’s budget sees a slight increase in allocation per constituency compared to the previous fiscal year, promising enhanced support for local initiatives.
In a move to adapt to evolving needs, the amended NG-CDF guidelines now direct part of the Fund towards establishing Constituency Digital Hubs and implementing climate change mitigation measures. These new initiatives reflect a commitment to modernizing infrastructure and addressing environmental challenges.
During the meeting, MPs raised pertinent issues, including the timelines for the release of pending disbursements and the slow progress of projects under the “programmes of best practices,” which are part of the NG-CDF Board’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts. Hon. Gisairo highlighted the urgency of resolving these delays to ensure timely project completion and optimal utilization of the Fund.
Dagoretti-North MP Hon. Beatrice Elachi also expressed concerns about the delayed disbursement of the NG-CDF kitty, emphasizing how it hampers project rollouts and limits job creation and revenue opportunities for the government.
The Committee Report detailing the NG-CDF budget ceilings will be tabled in the House for adoption on Thursday, paving the way for a new chapter in constituency development and local empowerment…CLICK HERE FOR MORE ARTICLE>>>
