ODM MP Daniel Manduku slams govt over fake austerity
By Steve Ireri, February 20, 2025Kisii’s Nyaribari Masaba MP, Daniel Manduku, has delivered a scathing indictment of the government’s economic policies, accusing it of peddling empty austerity rhetoric, mishandling the budget process, and failing to disburse critical development funds.
Speaking during an interview with K24 TV on Thursday, February 20, 2025, the ODM legislator painted a stark picture of systemic fiscal mismanagement that he claims is stifling progress and leaving crucial sectors underfunded.
Non-existent austerity
Manduku did not mince his words in calling out the government’s failure to implement real austerity measures, saying he was speaking with authority because he has served in the National Assembly for nearly two and a half years.
According to him, while ordinary Kenyans are forced to cut costs in their homes and workplaces, the government continues to preach austerity without taking any real action to curb excessive spending.
“In government, austerity is just a word in the dictionary. Unlike most of us who try to reduce expenses, the government only talks about it but never implements any meaningful cost-cutting measures to ensure prudent use of our resources,” Manduku stated.
He accused the government of reckless spending, claiming that despite constant discussions about financial prudence, the reality tells a different story.
Manduku also took issue with the current budget-making process, arguing that it has deviated from the people-centred vision that the framers of the Constitution had in mind.
According to him, the government’s reluctance to settle pending bills is a clear indicator of its misplaced priorities.
“The framers of the Constitution envisioned a budget-making process that would be focused on the people, but unfortunately, that is not the case today. That’s why the government is not in a hurry to settle pending bills,” he remarked.
Manduku lamented that if the government injected Ksh195 billion into the economy, particularly targeting small businesses, it would significantly stimulate growth. He explained that this amount would boost cash circulation, benefiting entrepreneurs and small-scale traders who are struggling due to the current economic downturn.
“Imagine if Ksh195 billion was injected into the economy today, especially in small businesses. The positive impact would be immense. Money would circulate, and the economy would start growing again,” he noted.
Misplaced budget priorities
The MP further decried the skewed distribution of government funds, emphasising that crucial sectors such as agriculture and infrastructure are perennially underfunded while massive amounts are allocated to government offices.
“There is a serious problem with sectoral distribution in the budget. The areas that require the most funding to drive economic growth, such as agriculture and critical infrastructure, receive minimal allocations, while huge sums go to the Office of the President and the Office of the Deputy President,” he stated.
Manduku called for a more balanced approach, urging the government to redirect resources toward sectors that can directly impact economic growth and improve the livelihoods of Kenyans.
Stalled CDF disbursements
The ODM lawmaker also raised concerns over delayed disbursement of government funds, particularly at the county level and through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
He revealed that despite being eight months into the financial year, MPs have received less than 20% of their allocated CDF funds, frustrating development projects at the grassroots level.
“Even after the budget is approved and passed by the National Assembly, there is a major problem with disbursement, especially to counties. Even we, as MPs, are now eight months into the financial year, and we have not received more than 20% of our Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations,” Manduku said.
He warned that such delays were crippling service delivery across the country, adding that without prompt disbursement of funds, many crucial projects risk stagnation.