The National Treasury has released the first batch of the National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) to constituencies following instructions from the Attorney General.
As a result, parents can now feel relieved as schools reopen later this month because constituencies have embarked on plans to disburse bursaries and development funds to students and schools.
Moreover, the office of the Attorney General last month instructed the National Treasury to release the funds after a legal battle that saw the Fund suspended.
While reacting to the return of NG-CDF, Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama said the return is a great win for most of the less fortunate families.
Arama reported that the area NG-CDF Committee had already received some of the monies which they plan to utilize on bursaries to needy students especially those joining Form One.
“The funds are coming in tranches from the National Treasury. At the moment we have Sh5 million for bursaries but shall continue to accumulate more as more disbursements come,” said Arama.
Furthermore, the member of parliament stated that the removal of the Fund by the Supreme Court last year was a major blow to parents as they would have been forced to shoulder heavy financial burdens.
According to Arama, part of the funds will go towards development projects within the schools to facilitate the new education system that requires huge investments in infrastructure.
“We now have junior secondary schools which need laboratories. Using NG-CDF, we shall construct a laboratory in each school to ensure no parent is asked for such monies,” the MP added.
Nonetheless, Arama applauded President William Ruto for his commitment towards the return of the Fund saying that this was a gesture beyond politics and to the rescue of helpless Kenyans
Likewise, Kuresoi North MP Alfred Mutai reported that the constituency had received Sh7 million which the committee was working on how to disburse it as they anticipate more in the coming weeks.
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“What has reflected in the bank account so far is Sh7 million. Part of it shall go towards bursaries with a priority to Form One students’ who are bright and from humble backgrounds,” said Mutai.
Mutai noted that the challenges in the disbursement of the funds occasioned by the legal battles were leaving the NG-CDF committees in a difficult situation on budgeting.
“We have concluded public participation and identified main projects. The amounts and uncertainty on the time of disbursements is a major challenge but we shall work with what we get,” he said.
Similarly, Bahati MP Irene Njoki stated that they were yet to receive the funds, but they expect the disbursement to be done on time to be of benefit to the needy.
“We have not received the monies yet but are optimistic of having the funds later this week. The NG-CDF committee will sit to discuss how what will have been received shall be shared among needy students,” said Njoki.
