CDF MUST STAY

 

 

KENYANS NEED THE CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND (CDF)

Whereas there have been numerous calls to disband the CDF & courts have even found it to be unconstitutional, I do beg to differ.

I insist that CDF is a vital kitty that is needed more by the citizens & less by the MPs.

Indeed the constitution clearly allocates MPs only three roles which are

1.     Representation

2.     Legislation

3.     Oversight

However, the same constitution in article 1 vests ALL POWER in the PEOPLE.

The same people expect their MPs to build schools, roads, hospitals, police posts, street lights etc.

Rather than imagine that the masses are ignorant of the constitution & attempt to educate them on MPs constitutional roles, I insist that the people’s will is supreme and that since all power belongs to them, if the people want MPs who give them classrooms & hospitals then the people must have that.

The Kenyan reality is that there is no one who can get elected as MP for promising to Legislate, Represent & Oversight.

This reality was recently on display in Mbeere & Malava Constituencies, the voters were not keen on the aspirants’ legislative abilities, rather they went for those who promised better roads, schools and infrastructure in general. Thus, the voters clearly chose development over legislative ability.

Ndindi Nyoro remains popular not because of the bills he brings to parliament, but rather for his empowerment projects in Kiharu.

Oscar Sudi too will floor any opponent in Kapsaret whose only strength is being a potential great parliamentary debater. Obviously due to his development track record on the ground.

Just recently Kenyans were treated to a spat between the President & the former Vice President Kalonzo.

The President challenged Kalonzo to explain why despite having served as MP for 40yrs the road to his home area remained untarmacked.

Kalonzo knowing what Kenyans want to hear, insisted that he had actually fought for the road to be constructed, not by merely making noise in parliament, but by actively participating in its tendering and contract signing.

Kalonzo couldn’t argue that his job as MP wasn’t building roads – this could have spelled political doom for him. 

The examples go on and on, infact just last year a Githurai MCA was threatening  to resign, claiming Governor Sakaja had frustrated his development agenda in the ward. He didn’t believe it was enough for him to legislate, oversight & represent. He felt that if he couldn’t build classrooms & markets for his people then he better resign.

This being the case, it is clear the PEOPLE want MPs who can deliver infrastructural projects – CDF therefore MUST STAY

 

Again, for some of us who were born & raised under the KANU party rule of Mtukufu Rais, Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi. Where everything was centralized, MPs literally had to worship the President for them to attend to even simple emergencies such as floods in their areas or strong winds which would carry away classroom roofs.

MPS back then would rarely contradict the President, even if the head of state said 1+1 = 3 they would clap for him for being Kenya’s best mathematician.

The President was thus Mwalimu namba moja, Mkulima namba moja and everything else namba moja, while the role of MPs was to sing his praises.

Today with CDF, Babu Owino for example can afford to contradict, abuse & even call the President Kasongo.

For he knows he doesn’t need to beg the President for him to complete a street lighting project or even cater for an emergency afflicting his constituents.

CDF thus emboldens MPs & makes some of them open minded & independent.

Taking away CDF would take us back to the old dark days

 

As a parliamentary aspirant in Dagoretti North Constituency, I would be happy if the incumbent Hon. Beatrice Elachi didn’t have the CDF as it obviously endears some voters to her. But I am not that petty, I remail in support of the NG-CDF.