MP Kawaya to Raila: Keep off NG-CDF
By Aloys Michael, August 21, 2025The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Organising Secretary, Vincent Kawaya, has urged ODM leader Raila Odinga to reconsider his calls for the transfer of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) to county governments.
Addressing a rally on Thursday, August 21, 2025, in Ukambani, he cautioned that such a move could spark widespread discontent among lawmakers and beneficiaries of the fund.
Kawaya, who is also the MP for Mwala, said while UDA is open to collaborating with Raila in shaping the next government, altering the management of NG-CDF remains a sensitive matter.
“I am persuaded to correct Raila. We are going to work with him to form the next government, but he needs to draw the boundary. Keep off NG-CDF,” Kawaya said.
Kawaya argued that Raila’s proposal risks generating tension, especially among MPs who view the fund as central to grassroots development.
“There should be no discussion to hand over the kitty to governors. A governor will have Ksh15 billion, and it has not been demonstrated to work effectively. What difference will this Ksh100 million make?” the legislator posed.
He further noted that NG-CDF has been instrumental in supporting education and other community development projects. He added that even the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, which Raila played a key role in shaping, recommends the fund’s entrenchment in the Constitution.
“One of the key players in the NADCO report is ODM leader Raila Odinga. We agree that we must work together and unite the country, but we are in disagreement over the future of NG-CDF,” he said.
Kawaya’s remarks come amid debate within ODM ranks over Raila’s stance on the matter.
Raila on NG-CDF
Raila Odinga has renewed calls for an overhaul of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).
He has 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.