MPs threaten not to pass supplementary budget if CDF funds not released

Members of the National Assembly have once again threatened to frustrate the passage of the supplementary budget if the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) is not released on time.

This was after the NG-CDF board CEO Yusuf Mbuno told the MPs that only Ksh.10 billion of the Ksh.44.2 billion intended to be released this financial year had been disbursed so far.

Speaking when he appeared before the National Assembly NG-CDF committee on Tuesday, Mr. Mbuno told the MPs that this is despite the promise by the National Treasury to be releasing Ksh.2 billion weekly, which has not been honoured.

“The Treasury made a commitment to be releasing Ksh.2 billion weekly, and that is the commitment we are working with, we are expecting that by March 31, 50 per cent of the funds should have been released.” said Mbuno as the MPs protested.

“It is not a matter of being optimistic or hopeful, Kenyans are waiting for services. What we want to know is when will the money be released? What is the time frame you are being given?” Charged Homa Bay Woman Representative Joyce Osodo Bensouda.

The MPs threatened not to approve the supplementary budget expected to come up for debate next week saying they might lose out if they don’t fight for the fund.

Kitui Rural MP David Mboni claimed that despite the harsh economic times in the country, the National Treasury had no option to avail the NG-CDF funds if they wanted to supplementary budget approved.

“We must be very serious with the Treasury, we need to give them conditions before we pass the supplementary budget, and the last trunch will be expected during the passage of the main budget. We need to give them conditions, because my fear is if we move to the next financial year with a balance, we are going to suffer and some of us then should just prepare to go home,” Mboni said.

The Chair of the Committee, Gideon Mulyungi, ordered Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u to appear before the committee to explain when the monies should be hitting the accounts.

Treasury released the Ksh.10 billion after protestations from MPs who refused to attend an induction workshop until the money was disbursed.