MPs summon CS Mbadi over NG-CDF delay ahead of school reopening
With schools set to reopen in under two weeks, lawmakers warned that thousands of students may be unable to return to class due to lack of bursaries funded by the NG-CDF.
Pressure is mounting on the National Treasury after members of Parliament strongly protested the continued delay in disbursing funds under the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), forcing a summons for Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi to appear before the House.
The protest erupted during a heated session on Tuesday, with MPs raising alarm over the impact the delay is having on students and stalled community development projects.
With schools set to reopen in under two weeks, lawmakers warned that thousands of students may be unable to return to class due to lack of bursaries funded by the NG-CDF.
Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen sparked the discussion by questioning why the Treasury CS had failed to appear before Parliament as earlier promised to give an update on the disbursement status.
"Mr. Speaker, we are less than 10 days away from schools reopening, and our students are going back without bursaries. The CS had promised to release money weekly, but so far, only a quarter of the funds have been disbursed. Order number one this afternoon must be CDF and NGAAF," Bowen said.
His statement received overwhelming support from both ruling and opposition party members, all voicing frustration at the Treasury’s continued silence and inaction.
Eldas MP Adan Keynan urged the House to suspend all ongoing business until the matter is fully addressed, arguing that the failure to release funds is harming everyday Kenyans.
"Let us suspend everything until the question of KeRRA, KURA, and NG-CDF is sorted. No more business," Keynan declared.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah supported the call for immediate action, warning that the situation is becoming a crisis in many constituencies where people rely on the fund.
“NG-CDF is not for members of Parliament—it is for the people of Kenya. There are children who won’t go to school, communities that will lack security infrastructure. The Treasury has no choice. The CS must come prepared, if not with words, then with his chequebook. Tomorrow, it’s pesa na pesa kwa NG-CDF," Ichung’wah stated.
Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere stressed that the fund is a practical form of grassroots development and called on Mbadi to bring evidence that the money has been wired to the respective constituency accounts.
"CDF is a clear example of real devolution. Let the CS come here with evidence that the money is in our accounts. If not, we will hold him here until that is done," she said.
Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu, who has served in Parliament for years, described this as the worst year for NG-CDF funding. He noted that expectations had been high when Mbadi, a former MP, was appointed to head the Treasury.
"We thought when we got one of our own at Treasury, things would improve. Instead, they’ve worsened. I’ve been in this House for years, and this is the worst year in terms of CDF disbursements," Mulu said.
Despite repeated pleas from lawmakers, Speaker Moses Wetangula declined to halt parliamentary business but issued a stern warning, giving CS Mbadi just one day to appear and provide answers.
"You have the power. You have impeached a minister, a deputy president. Do not walk away from your House. Give the CS until tomorrow, only tomorrow, to explain himself. If he doesn’t come ready, the House will act," Wetang'ula ruled.