MPs asked to improve Fund Bill

Members of Parliament (MPs) have been asked to make improvements to the Constituency Development Fund Bill to align it with the law.

In a memorandum to the CDF Committee, the Institute for Social Accountability told lawmakers to see to it that transparency in the use of the money was increased.

Sponsored by CDF Committee Chairman Moses Lessonet, the Bill says a remodelled CDF would implement government functions at constituency level.

The institute wants the proposed law to align CDF with the structures established by the government in the changing of the former provincial administration to accommodate devolution.

It says the Bill respects the principles of public finance in sharing revenue and is a good attempt at respecting division of functions but could still be improved.

“Parliament should not create parallel bureaucracies for the implementation of government functions,” the institute said.

It added that the proposed law should refer to the sub-county and not the constituency as a unit of development.

The Bill also falls short of the public finance management law guidelines on how the Treasury CS can set up a national fund, said the institute.

“The law says county commissioners coordinate government functions but the Bill fails to adequately integrate with this structure,” the institute added.

It asked MPs to find a way of integrating the new CDF with county education boards and the police.

This would enable consultations with CDF committees as they decide projects to be funded.

The institute said the Bill should be amended so that the public could have a say in the way the funds are used.

It asked lawmakers to remove the requirement that the membership of CDF committees be approved by the National Assembly.

MPs were also asked to make it easier for the public to access information on how money is used.

This would be through giving access to project lists, fund reports and ensure projects have site announcements.