Senator Maanzo: CDF can only be entrenched through a referendum

Senator Dan Maanzo has strongly criticised attempts to entrench the National Government Constituency Development Fund (CDF) into the Constitution through what he terms as an illegal process.

Speaking during an interview on a local TV show on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, the Makueni senator insisted that the fund, although important, must go through a constitutional referendum process, not political shortcuts.

“The CDF is actually the only money you can see for government on the ground and what goes to the people,” Maanzo said. “It improves schools, improves security, and reaches every village. But the how is the problem.”

He acknowledged that the courts had ruled against the current structure of the CDF, classifying it as executive work, and allowed time until 2026 for it to be phased out. However, Maanzo proposed that Parliament should extend this to 2028 to allow time for a proper constitutional process.

“To entrench this fund in the Constitution, it has to go to the people. It has to go through a referendum,” he stated. “That could be one of the referendum questions in the next elections.”

Warns against rushed approval

The senator expressed concern that the Senate appeared to be fast-tracking the bill without following due process.

“The way they want to put it, it’s like the Senate has been given a bribe so that it can approve this illegality,” he claimed.

He also argued that Members of Parliament are already well compensated and should focus on their core roles: legislation, oversight, and representation.

“In my opinion, we are sufficiently paid for that,” he said, adding that MPs should not get involved in executive functions.

Maanzo highlighted inefficiencies in other government departments, noting that a simple classroom project proposed through the Ministry of Education could take years, while CDF delivers faster.

“Villagers can build a classroom with 800,000 or a million shillings. The Ministry will take double and delay it,” he said.

While admitting that the CDF works well, Maanzo stressed that constitutionality must prevail.

“This is too heavy for a House. Amending the Constitution without changing its structure can only be done through a referendum,” he said.

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