Members of Parliament from different political devide stormed out of the Parliamentary Committee members retreat in Mombasa over the delayed disbursement of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) and the national government affirmative action fund NGAAF.
They say about 10 billions are yet to be released by the national treasury paralysing services to citizens in their respective areas.
The protesting leaders walked out saying it was unreasonable to hold a five days retreat at a five star luxurious hotel, pay millions for accommodation at the expense of orphans and needy leaders who depended on NGCDF to go to school.
National assembly NGCDF chairman Musa Sirma said that the retreat would not proceed unless the National Treasury disbursed funds for the NG-CDF.
Sirma said that before Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u addresses the convention, money must reflect in the constituencies’ CDF accounts.
“We will stop every engagement until funds are released,” noted Sirma.
Kathiani MP Robert Mbui said that no merting would take place in Mombasa while orphans are not going to school due to lack of school fees.
“We do not have any other business to discuss ,since schools have been oopened. Orphans and needy students need to go to schools, we can’t sit here while issues are messed up out there” he stressed.
Nairobi women rep Esther Passaris said that women have equally been affected due to delay in NGAAF disbursement.
Issue of ensuring 100 per cent transition to secondary school coming up as Rarieda Mp Otiende Omolo said it will not be possible to effect the plan since there is no bursaries.
“Treasury must tell us when are they releasing the money, any other agenda without talking about CDF money is null and void,” Amollo added.
National assembly acting clerk Sarah Kioko had told the committees to work within their budgets by reducing their activities before the new budgets when the meeting was disrupted.
“We have constrained budget, and the number of committees has increased by 10 committees, from the 2022-23,and therefore we have asked the committees to tighten their belt until the new budgets,” Kioko said.
The joint induction workshop of different committees seeks to bring to attention to members and help them conduct the constitutional mandate as per the standing orders.
The MPs are also expected to be taken through the corrective measures being undertaken by Parliament in ensuring that the future of the National Government Constituency Development Fund is assured