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NG-CDF firestorm: Gatanga MP accuses Raila of seeking return to Moi-era politics
29th August, 2025 08:56 AM
Gatanga Member of Parliament Edward Muriu has accused the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga of attempting to take Kenya back to the Moi era days.
Speaking to Kameme TV on Friday, August 29, 2025, Muriu said Raila’s push to have the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) channelled to governors instead of MPs is not genuine, but a tactic meant to control development at the grassroots.
Recently, during an event at KICC, Raila bashed the idea of MPs managing funds, whereas Kenya’s constitution expects governors to be the head of devolved units after the national government.
“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.
Raila accused of wanting control
According to the MP, Raila is facing internal resistance from his own party legislators, who are questioning his leadership style.
Muriu mentioned that figures such as Edwin Sifuna, Babu Owino, and Caleb Amisi have differed with him because they can directly implement projects through the CDF.
“Raila wants this because his MPs are opposing him. Edwin Sifuna, Babu Owino, and Caleb Amisi disagree with him because they have independent funds and by that they are able to do developments.
“Raila would like a scenario where all money is given to counties so that, for instance, he can be telling a governor not to give money to a certain MCA because he is not with him. He wants control,” Muriu remarked.
The Gatanga legislator further alleged that Raila has never championed genuine development in Kenya.
“Raila has never stood for development, and you can look at the history.
“Raila, because he cannot block NGCDF money from flowing, would like a scenario where one must kneel in front of him so that one is given development. This is a tactic Moi used when he was ruling Kenya,” he added.
Debate on NGCDF intensifies
Muriu’s remarks come as the debate on the future of NG-CDF continues, with some leaders arguing it should remain under MPs to directly serve constituencies, while others, especially those aligned with the opposition, propose its transfer to county governments.
The lawmaker concluded that Raila’s proposal was not about strengthening devolution but an attempt to wield political influence by controlling development resources.
For Muriu, such a move would only weaken independent oversight and take Kenya backwards to the days when development depended solely on political loyalty.
