Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has stated that the National Government Constituency Fund (NG-CDF) has become a tool President William Ruto uses to entice Members of Parliament (MPs).
Speaking at a local TV station on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, Onyonka stated that Kenyans need a government that uses equity and fairness in the allocation of resources.
“If they want to bring NG-CDF, let’s go for a referendum so that the public can decide. We want a government which uses structure and which has fairness and equity. CDF has become an item that the president uses to entice the MPs,” he stated.
Further, he stated that the fund is unconstitutional and should either be overhauled or scrapped entirely and criticised how MPs wield influence over the fund.
He argued that it not only contravenes the spirit of devolution but also violates the principle of separation of powers
“NG-CDF undermines the constitution. It creates a parallel executive role for MPs and blurs the lines of accountability. It must be reviewed or abolished altogether,” Onyonka stated.
Further, he accused MPs of using the fund as a political tool to build loyalty among constituents, often at the expense of equitable development and transparency.
He said that while the fund was initially intended to address grassroots development needs, it has since become a breeding ground for corruption and patronage.
“Today, if you walk into some constituencies, the projects undertaken through NG-CDF are poorly implemented and often serve political interests rather than the public good,” Onyonka said.
This comes after the High Court declined a push to stop the process as was petitioned by opponents of the legislation last week.
The Bill
The MPs are in the process of enacting into law three funds to cushion them from perennial court actions.
Through the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, National Assembly Bill, 2025, the lawmakers are seeking to secure the legal standing of the NG-CDF, the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) and the Senate Oversight Fund.
The bill is co-sponsored by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo and Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga.
The legislative process to formalise and protect the NG-CDF has faced challenges, particularly over concerns about its constitutionality and the separation of powers between the executive and the legislature.
In his ruling, High Court judge Lawrence Mugambi declined to issue conservatory orders against the legislative process on the bill that recently underwent nationwide public participation.
“There is no reason to grant interim conservatory orders at this stage since the parties are already before the court,” he said.
“The issue of conservatory orders can still be revived on June 5, when the court will issue further directions on the ruling date.”
