Senators pledge to help save CDF
What you need to know:
- Prof Kindiki said senators were ready to help in the passage of a new CDF law that would not be offensive to the Constitution. “CDF has brought massive development at the grassroots,” he said.
- MPs are considering setting up a special committee to come up with a strategy to save CDF. Members of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee are said to have come up with the idea.
Senators have promised to help MPs change the law so that they retain the Constituency Development Fund that was declared unconstitutional by the High Court last week.
The senators yesterday said the fund should remain with their counterparts in the National Assembly and promised to help them amend the CDF Act to comply with the Constitution.
Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki said the fund has been a success in rural areas, adding that it would be unfair to Kenyans to scrap it.
“This fund should remain. Not all functions have been devolved and we still require CDF. We will look at the offending clause and help our colleagues in the National Assembly remain with the allocation,” said Prof Kindiki.
The court found that the Act was passed without involving the Senate yet the legislation affects counties. All laws that affect counties must be placed before the Senate for deliberation and adoption.
MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT
Prof Kindiki said senators were ready to help in the passage of a new CDF law that would not be offensive to the Constitution.
“CDF has brought massive development at the grassroots,” he said.
MPs are considering setting up a special committee to come up with a strategy to save CDF. Members of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee are said to have come up with the idea.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi asked MPs to read the judgment thoroughly and think about ways of saving the fund rather than keep talking about how much change it has brought since its inception.
“Let us address the key issues that have been raised by the court,” he said.
