Record Sh17.5bn sent to vote zones

The government has released Sh17.5 billion to the 210 constituencies, the highest figure so far since the inception of the fund.

Last year, Planning minister Wycliffe Oparanya disbursed Sh14 billion.

Out of the cash, Sh500 million or three per cent has been set aside for the CDF board secretariat.

In a list released by Mr Oparanya, Turkana North led the pack with Sh130,984,953 followed by Turkana Central which got Sh119,377,626.

Other constituencies that received huge disbursements were Msambweni (Sh110 million), Saboti (Sh108 million), Eldoret North (Sh108 million), Bahari (Sh107 million), Kaloleni Sh103 million) and Juja (Sh102 million).

The list was released to journalists by Mr Oparanya before being tabled in Parliament as has been the practice.

Population and poverty

Population and poverty levels was used to share resources, with the lion’s share going to constituencies with large, poor populations.

“We already have had provisional distribution based on the most current population figures because it would be unwise to rely on the old figures when we have the latest data,” he said.

About Sh90 billion has been disbursed to constituencies since since CDF inception nine years ago.

Immediate former CDF chief executive Agnes Odhiambo, who is set to be become the Controller of Budget, last week said about 80 per cent of the funds had been used well.

“Many children have gone to school courtesy of the fund and it should be maintained to improve lives,” she said in an interview with the Nation.