Samburu West MP says stage being set for referendum on CDF, counties and Senate
By Cy Muganda, August 29, 2025Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda has suggested that preparations are underway for a constitutional referendum that could target key governance structures, including the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF), county governments, and the Senate.
In a statement posted on her X account on Friday, August 29, 2025, Lesuuda outlined what she perceives as emerging referendum agenda items based on recent political utterances.
“Clearly, from the look of things, the stage is being set for a referendum. From the fillers I am picking,” Lesuuda stated.
Referendum targets
The MP identified three specific areas she believes could be subject to constitutional amendment through a referendum process.
According to Lesuuda, the first target would be the National Government Constituencies Development Fund, raising concerns about whether it should be scrapped.
She also suggested that proposals to reduce the number of counties could feature in potential referendum questions.
The third area identified by the legislator involves the upper house of Parliament, with proposals to abolish the Senate altogether.
“From the fillers I am picking, whether NGCDF stays or not, reduce the number of counties and scrap the Senate,” she stated.
Scrapping off NG-CDF
Lesuuda’s statement comes in the wake of Raila Odinga’s ongoing push for the elimination of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
Speaking during the Katiba Day celebrations at the Kenya International Convention Centre (KICC) on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Raila called for a national dialogue that could lead to a referendum regarding whether MPs should continue managing development funds.
“Devolution is at two levels, the national and county levels. It is not right for the national parliament to jump the county government and get another unit below the county government and call it NGCDF,” he stated.
He criticised MPs for overstepping their constitutional roles by managing funds intended for development, rather than concentrating on their legislative, representational, and oversight duties.
“The money that we are giving to the people to implement projects in the constituency, give it to the Counties to be the ones to implement and Parliament to do what the Constitution mandates them to do, representation, legislation and oversight,” Raila emphasised.
He challenged proponents of the NGCDF amendments in Parliament to present the issue to the public through a referendum.
“These amendments that you brought to Parliament, bring them there, but let us take them to the people. Let’s take it to a referendum and test if people will accept that a Member of Parliament is implementing and overseeing at the same time. Iende kwa wananchi,” Raila said to applause.