Parliament to summon Treasury CS Ndung'u, AG Muturi over CDF stalemate

The National Assembly now plans to summon Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u and Attorney General Justin Muturi over the continued delay to disburse monies to the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).

This after the House dismissed a statement by CS Njuguna that he was waiting on the advisory of the Attorney General before disbursement of the funds.

In a statement read on the floor of the House by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, CS Njuguna told MPs that he would disburse Ksh.2 billion every week until they clear the arrears so far accumulated as soon as he gets a go-ahead from the AG.

However, Ichung’wah told the House that it would be better if the issue is dealt with at the committee stage, calling upon the two entities to find out what the sticky issues are.

“I would advise that the committee call for a meeting and thrash out the issues that are there, so that whatever the opinion the AG can have, members can engage with both so that if there are any challenges with matters that are before the court and advise us on the action that we are supposed to take,” said the Kikuyu MP.

However, Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi dismissed the statement by the Treasury CS claiming it is only aimed at in taking the House in a circus.

“This is a circus, and I want to call on the MPs to stand firm and stamp its authority and demand that the National Treasury disburses funds in accordance with Appropriation Act without any further delay,” Wandayi said.

The Ugunja legislator once again threatened to derail government business in the House if the monies will not be disbursed.

“We are too serious to go on strike but we can stop business, this is a House of Parliament, it’s the voice of Kenyans, we can stop business until and unless the NG-CDF funds are released, and let nobody think that they can intimidate us, we can never be intimidated as a House,” Wandayi said.

The fund has been in limbo since the Supreme Court gave a ruling that illegalized the 2013 CDF Act, although the MPs insist they are currently using the 2015 NG-CDF Act that has not been ruled on by the courts.