Members of Parliament (MPs) have faulted the High Court for declaring the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) unconstitutional.

During a sitting on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, MPs deliberated on the way forward, following the ruling, which also gave the fund an operational timeline of up to June 30, 2025, at midnight.

Eldama Ravine MP Musa Sirma pointed out what he says are positive outcomes generated from the NG-CDF.

“This NG-CDF is an equalizer to all other funds. There are sections of this country that, prior to the establishment of the fund, were lagging behind but which now have been brought closer to the rest of the country by the use of the fund. Those against this fund should go and face Kenyans at the grassroots and hear their outcry,” Sirma stated, as quoted by the National Assembly’s social media pages.

Eldas MP, Adan Keynan, underscored the urgency to entrench the NG-CDF in the Constitution to safeguard the milestones the country has made through the fund.

“Stand firm as Members of Parliament. This is not the usual complaining. We will entrench the NG-CDF in the Constitution for the good and well-being of the country,” he said.

Naisula Lesuuda, the MP for Samburu West, defended the existence of the NG-CDF and said accountability has always been practiced in the implementation of the projects under the kitty.

“If there is one fund where there is accountability, it is in NG-CDF. If anybody thinks there is anybody misusing the money, we have investigative agencies that can investigate,” Lesuuda said.

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo said the High Court erred in declaring the fund illegal. The MP was one of the legal counsels for the National Assembly in the NG-CDF court case.

“The decision rendered by the High Court is wrong on the role of MPs on the NG-CDF, the terms and roles of the fund managers, and for the avoidance of doubt, we have already agreed we are going to appeal that decision,” Amollo noted.

MPs also want an expedition on the debate and approval of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, whose key recommendations include the entrenchment of NG-CDF in the Constitution of Kenya.