Bursary Allocations to Increase as President Ruto Signs CDF Bill into Law

President Ruto on Monday, December 11 signed into law the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) (Amendment) bill which will see an increase in bursaries.

The Constituencies Development Fund bill (National Assembly Bill No. 13 of 2023) was published on April 24, 2023.

Notably, it was passed by the National Assembly on November 28, 2023.

The Act was co-sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and the Leader of the Minority Party Opiyo Wandayi.

“The law increases the allocation from 35 per cent to 40 per cent, a move that will facilitate continuity and completion of education by students,” read part of a statement from State House.

In addition, the bill’s principal objective is to align the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Act, 2015 to the Constitution.

Bursary funds

According to the statement from State House, the additional funds will also cater for school feeding programs, especially in drought-stricken areas.

“This will check dropouts, boost enrollment and further the Government’s efforts to increase literacy,” noted Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw’ah.

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Also, the Act increases CDF allocation on environmental activities from two per cent to five per cent to fund for climate crisis.

Besides that, it introduces a three per cent allocation of the Fund for Constituencies’ digital hubs.

The hubs, the Government observes, are key in enabling the youth to acquire skills to boost their employability.

Furthermore, the Act seeks to ensure that the NG-CDF is used to fund projects falling under the exclusive functions of the National Government as set out in the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution.

National Lottery Bill

On the other hand, the head of state assented to the National Lottery Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 69 of 2023).

Notably, the Act, also sponsored by Ichung’wa, was published on October 31, 2023, and passed on December 6, 2023.

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In regard to the assentation, the statement noted, “This paves the way for the establishment of the National Lottery Board that will administer the newly established National Lottery.

The Board will be tasked with the supervision, control and monitoring of the operations of the National Lottery.”

Notably, members of the board will be drawn from institutional representatives as well as independent members.

The leader of the majority noted that the goal of the conduct of the National Lottery is to fund social development in the country.

Additionally, it will also be mandated to erect measures to prevent fraud in the conduct of the National Lottery.