Ganze MP Teddy Mwambire at a past event. [Photo/ bana.co.ke]
Ganze MP Teddy Mwambire has criticised the National Constituency Development Fund (CDF) board for slashing the fund in the 2017/2018 financial year.Mwambire said the move will affect development projects in many constituencies countrywide and especially in the Coast region.The MP said that Sh101.4 million was the initial amount to be disbursed to the 290 constituencies in the country, but the amount was reduced to Sh86.8 million shillings as per January 5, 2018, circular from the board.Speaking in Mombasa on Tuesday, Mwambire said the move was detrimental in nature, adding that it would affect the implementation of various development projects in constituencies.“The move will also affect bursary disbursements and plans of improving infrastructure in schools,” he said.Mwambire said the fund was very important in ensuring that devolution benefits Kenyans countrywide and urged the national government to reconsider the move.He said that since there were no proper reasons given as to what led to the CDF budget cut, the CDF board should explain the move to the MPs and Kenyans.In the circular signed by Christine Mwangolo, the Chief Executive Officer, National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), all constituency fund managers are required to submit their project proposals which should not exceed 86 million shillings in the stipulated 2017/2018 financial year.She said five percent of the fund will also be retained by the board as supplementary development expenditure estimates by the national parliament.