Kindiki admits Raila is untouchable in politics after NG-CDF remark
By Martin Oduor, August 27, 2025Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has admitted that Raila Odinga remains one of the few politicians who can survive the storm after making controversial statements, pointing to his latest comments on the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) as proof.
Addressing leaders during the Katiba Day commemoration at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, where President William Ruto was among those in attendance, Kindiki noted that Raila’s boldness was unmatched in the country’s political arena.
“In this room, only Raila Odinga can get away with some of the statements he has made, especially the last one. He says he knows what the mood is, but he really does not care,” Kindiki remarked, reacting to Raila’s hardline position on the management of CDF funds.
The ODM leader had moments earlier reignited the longstanding debate around the place of NG-CDF in the governance structure.
Raila insists that the fund undermines devolution, arguing that it should be transferred fully to the counties.
“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,” Raila said during the same celebrations.
According to Raila, MPs should not be implementing development projects, since their constitutional duty is limited to legislation, representation, and oversight.
“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,” he stated.
The former prime minister went further, questioning the accountability of legislators who both implement projects and oversee them through NG-CDF.
“People cannot accept that Parliament is implementing and doing oversight at the same time,” he emphasised.
I don’t care
Raila also challenged MPs backing the NG-CDF amendments to test public opinion directly.
“These amendments that you brought to Parliament, bring it there, but let us take it 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 from the audience.
Acknowledging the political backlash his stance has attracted, Raila admitted his popularity had taken a hit but maintained that he was unmoved.
“I know this stand is making me very unpopular, but I just don’t care. I will stand my ground on this issue,” Raila stated as he concluded his speech.