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Public hearings on MPs’ funds begin with Coast residents citing bursary support

Kaloleni Member of Parliament Paul Katana, signs his form during a public participation forum  on the amendment of the Constitution to include the NG-CDF at Kaloleni Youth  and Vocational Training Centre in Kaloleni town on May 5, 2025.

Photo credit: Maureen Ongala | Nation Media Group
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By  Maureen Ongala  &  Mishi Gongo

What you need to know:

  • Jomvu MP Badi Twalib echoed similar sentiments, stating that the fund has especially benefited students from humble backgrounds.
  • “If this fund did not exist, many schools would still be in a deplorable condition, and most children from humble backgrounds would have missed out on education. They are directly transforming our community, and the impact is visible,” Mr Twalib said.

Residents of counties in the Coast region have cited education bursaries from the constituency kitty as their main reason for supporting a Bill aimed at anchoring key development funds in the Constitution.

The Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 4 of 2025 seeks to entrench the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), and the Senate Oversight Fund in the constitution.

In Kilifi County, those who showed up at the Kaloleni Vocational and Training Centre said most vulnerable children depend on bursaries from the NG-CDF to afford going to school and improving school infrastructure.

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“Many women cannot afford to educate their children and have relied on a bursary for many years. As we speak, many vulnerable children are at home because they have not paid school fees,” Ms Maria Kadzomba from Mariakani ward said.

Read: Naivasha retreat: Lawmakers fight to retain control of NG-CDF

She said that if Members of Parliament lost the kitty, it would severely affect poor families and lead many children to turn to crime in the villages.

Former Kayafungo Member of County Assembly Mr Alphonse Mwayaa, said initially the constituency had only two secondary schools, making it a challenge for children in remote areas of Ndatani and Mnago wa Dola.

“We have many secondary schools, and our children are now relieved. Only the rich could take their children to school, but now all children have access to secondary education wherever they are,” he said.

Kaloleni Member of Parliament Mr Paul Katana, said many of the proposed projects in schools have stalled because the last time constituencies received an allocation was four months ago.

Mr Katana stated that legislators are beyond the formulation of legislation only.

"Some people are saying that our work is to make laws, how will these daily legislations help our people?” he asked.
In Mombasa, locals said they are supporting the move since the fund has helped keep their children in school.

Read: National Assembly Clerk Njoroge: Why NG-CDF should not be allowed to die

Ms Mariam Abdillahi said the fund is easily accessible, unlike funds from the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb).

Mvita MP Masoud Machele said the move to anchor the fund in the Constitution is aimed at safeguarding it from legal challenges in the future.

“The fund was not initially in the Constitution. That is why the National Assembly’s Legal Affairs Committee resolved to entrench it in the law so that no NGO or rights group will go to court and challenge it again,” said Mr Machele.

The NGCDF, introduced 21 years ago, has been instrumental in grassroots development across the country. Mr Machele described the fund as a “lifeline for communities.”

“This is not money for Members of Parliament. Every shilling belongs to the people and is managed by a board, not MPs. We are just patrons. Every coin is meant to improve lives at the grassroots,” he added.

Read: MPs launch third attempt to control CDF billions

Mr Machele said more than 25000 students have benefitted from bursaries in his constituency over the past three years that he has been in the office.

Jomvu MP Badi Twalib echoed similar sentiments, stating that the fund has especially benefited students from humble backgrounds.

“If this fund did not exist, many schools would still be in a deplorable condition, and most children from humble backgrounds would have missed out on education. They are directly transforming our community, and the impact is visible,” Mr Twalib said.

The MPs urged residents to support the constitutional amendment to protect grassroots development from future legal uncertainties.