MPs query CDF cash allocations

A group of MPs have raised the alarm over attempts to alter poverty figures to deny some parts of the country equity in the distribution of the Constituency Development Fund.

They took issue with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and CDF board for manipulating data on the country’s poverty indices.

Led by Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, the MPs provided a list of 95 constituencies that had made a collective loss of Sh352 million from the funds allocated to them this fiscal year. 

Mr Gumbo took issue with the fact that some constituencies known to suffer perennial water shortages and dependent exclusively on relief food were now being touted as one of the richest.

“The poverty figures being touted are questionable and completely illogical,” said Mr Gumbo at a news conference in Parliament Buildings Friday.

They are now demanding an independent verification of the poverty figures from UN and other trustworthy agencies, before they can be applied for resource mobilisation in the country.

“In the meantime, we ask that the status quo to be maintained until the correct poverty indices for the different parts of the country are produced,” said Mr Gumbo.

“This is the right way to go because using figures, which clearly deny any Kenyan rightful access to resources of this country is a clear violation of the new constitution.

"The fight against poverty cannot be won through falsifying data and creating figures which are nothing but a mockery of individual and collective efforts in this fight.”   

Also present were: MPs Joseph Nkaiserry (Kajiado Central), Katoo Ole Metito (Kajiado South), Otieno Ogindo (Rangwe) and Bonny Khalwale (Ikolomani).

"There’s no way a rural constituency can get the same allocation of CDF funds as an urban one. This will deny them development,” said Mr Nkaiserry, who is also the Defense Assistant minister

Mr Ogindo said they are prepared to go to court to challenge the figures.

Mr Metito on his part wondered why Kabete, which had previously been ranked as one of the richest constituency three years ago, had slipped to third this year.

"What has happened. Can they explain to us what has gone wrong. This has not only happened in Kabete but other constituencies too,” he said.

The new Constitution provides that at least 15 per cent of the national revenue be channelled to the 47 counties to spur development every financial year.

The criteria to be used in disbursing the funds to the counties include the need to ensure that county governments are able to perform the functions allocated to them, the fiscal capacity and efficiency of county governments and their developmental needs.

Other aspects to be considered are economic disparities within and among counties and the need to remedy them, the need for affirmative action in respect of disadvantaged areas and groups and the need for economic optimisation of each county.

The new Constitution also creates the Equalisation Fund from which the central government shall draw money to provide basic services including water, roads, health facilities and electricity to marginalised areas.