Kimani Ngunjiri backs Raila’s stand on NG-CDF
Former Bahati constituency Member of Parliament Kimani Ngunjiri has publicly endorsed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s stance on the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
Speaking during an interview with Dr Kingori, which aired on Thursday, August 28, 2025, Ngunjiri expressed his support for redirecting the funds to be managed by the national government.
You might also like
He further emphasised that redirecting these funds to the national government could facilitate the provision of free education across the country.
“Raila ako na wisdom mambo yengine usikia anazungumuza, it can help this country.Kutoa hii pesa kwa wajumbe bursary sio CDF watu wanaleta siasa mingi not CDF bursary, hiyo pesa yote I support ata kama nitaweza kuvie kwa kiti na niko, hiyo pesa yote ichukuliwe na irudishwe kwa national government,”he said.
“Na ikirudishwa kwa national government, shule iwe free kwa sababu that money inatosha kufanya free education in Kenya.”
His statement reflects a shift from his previous position, where he had been a vocal advocate for the NG-CDF, highlighting its benefits in local development.
Raila on NG-CDF
Raila Odinga renewed calls for an overhaul of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).
He proposed that all resources currently managed under the two programmes be transferred to county governments.
He argues that the move would enhance efficiency, strengthen devolution, and improve service delivery.
Speaking on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the Devolution conference in Homa Bay County, Raila noted that CDF was introduced at a time when Kenyans were seeking equitable resource distribution under an imperial presidency that starved many regions of development funds.
“Most of the work was left to harambees; when you needed to build a school, harambee; a dispensary, harambee,” he said.
“But the system has since changed. We removed the patronage model, adopted devolution, created a constitutional commission to allocate resources, and empowered Parliament on budgetary matters. In this new order, CDF is obsolete.”
The former Prime Minister criticised the fund for distorting the role of MPs, saying their constitutional duty is to represent the people, legislate, and oversee the national government, not to distribute bursaries or construct classrooms.
“That is the work of counties,” he said.
