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MPs Stage Walkout over Delayed CDF Funds
In a display of defiance, Members of Parliament staged a dramatic walk-out of Parliament Tuesday, their voices echoing through the corridors as they chanted “Solidarity Forever” and “No CDF, No Parliament!” The legislators’ frustration stemmed from the government’s failure to release funds for the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), a crucial initiative that supports development projects in constituencies.
The MPs walk-out marked an abrupt end to the Plenary session. In addition, the legislators engaged a higher gear and physically blocked the entrance to Parliament, barring their colleagues from entering the House. Even Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro found himself on the wrong side of the barricade, forcefully ejected from the premises.
Nyando MP Jared Okello said, “It is now six months down the line, the government is always supporting its Executive programmes to the detriment of CDF. So what we’re saying is that we have suspended all sittings and government businesses until CDF is expended to our schools.”
The CDF funds, the MPs emphasized, are essential for providing bursaries to students, constructing classrooms, and improving infrastructure in their communities. Delaying the release of these funds is tantamount to neglecting the very people they were elected to represent.
In response to questions from the Finance Parliamentary Committee on Wednesday, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u assured that the government is working to resolve the delay in releasing funds to the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
Ndung’u attributed the delay to a shortage of funds, acknowledging that the government is facing challenges in meeting its financial goals due to lower-than-expected tax revenue and the global economic downturn.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to disbursing the CDF funds as soon as sufficient resources are available. He assured legislators that the government is exploring various solutions, including reducing expenditure or seeking external financing to raise the required Ksh.90 billion.
This isn’t the first time MPs have taken a stand against the government’s handling of CDF funds. In February 2023, they threatened to derail the supplementary budget if the money wasn’t released promptly. This came after NG-CDF board CEO Yusuf Mbuno informed them that only a fraction of the allocated funds had been disbursed.
DP Gachagua Blames Uhuru Kenyatta for Ksh.9.6 Trillion Public Debt
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Thursday painted a stark picture of the Kenyan economy, attributing its current challenges to the massive public debt inherited from the previous administration. Speaking at the 92nd Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) graduation ceremony, Gachagua revealed that a staggering 70% of government revenue is used to service this debt, amounting to a whopping Ksh.9.6 trillion.
“The President inherited a Ksh.9.6 trillion public debt,” Gachagua stated. “All the money that we collect, 70 percent of that amount goes to pay public debt.”
This statement ignited a firestorm of discussion, with some critics accusing the Deputy President of scapegoating the previous regime. However, Gachagua remained undeterred. “We found empty coffers,” he declared, “and that is the truth. No amount of denial will change that fact. We found the Kenyan economy on ICU.”
Despite acknowledging dissenting voices, Gachagua emphasized the need for truthful discourse about the initial state of the economy. He welcomed constructive criticism but demanded honesty regarding the challenges inherited by the current administration.
“We want those critics to be truthful and tell the people of Kenya, where the President found the state of the Kenyan economy,” he asserted.
On a brighter note, Gachagua offered hope to the 22,695 graduates entering the workforce. He highlighted President Ruto’s commitment to finding international employment opportunities for Kenyans, particularly in the healthcare sector.
“One of the most sought areas of professionalism out there is your profession,” Gachagua said. “They have been directed to look for employment opportunities for Kenyans. Already, we have outstanding requests from the UK and Germany for healthcare providers.”
The graduation ceremony witnessed 12,917 graduates receiving diplomas, 870 achieving higher diplomas, and 8,908 awarded certificates.
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