Aasai

ODM leader Raila Odinga has renewed his call for the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) to be handed over to counties, arguing that legislators should focus on their core roles—representation, legislation, and oversight. Speaking during the ICPAK annual conference in Mombasa, Raila dismissed the MPs’ ongoing public participation forums aimed at constitutionalizing the fund as futile.

He stressed that the proposed amendment must go through a national referendum and predicted its rejection. “CDF is 2.5% of the budget. That money should go to counties and raise devolved funds from 15% to 17.5%. Let counties manage it, not MPs,” he said, adding that bursaries would still be available but issued by local governments.

 Raila also proposed that counties take over the road maintenance levy to better respond to local infrastructure needs. However, he cautioned that county bosses found engaging in corruption must be held accountable under the law.

 The opposition chief further urged the national government to curb revenue wastage and ease the tax load on citizens. He hinted at changes to the housing levy, suggesting it may be converted into an investment with possible refunds, assuring Kenyans that ODM has better solutions for the country’s financial strain.