Parliament in session. [Photo:the-star.co.ke]
MPs have criticised Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich over the delay in disbursement of Constituency Development Funds.
At least Sh30.9 billion CDF money has not been sent to the constituencies.
The MPs, from Jubilee and NASA, have warned that the kitty is central to their core responsibility.
The MPs demanded CS Rotich to release the 2017-18 funds.
Majority leader Aden Duale, however, says gazetting the constituency CDF officials caused the delay.
“There was no way the Treasury CS could release money when the CDF committees have not been legally gazetted. The constituency committee members have been approved by the House, they were gazetted last Friday and now the minister will release the funds this week,” Duale was quoted by The Star.
The new National Government Constituency Development Fund law bars MPs from managing the kitty while limiting their involvement to their oversight role.
“Now MPs are not responsible for any misappropriation of CDF funds because they are not directly involved in its management. Its daily operations are with the constituency Constituency Development Committees,” Duale said.
Last Wednesday afternoon session turned stormy when members demanded answers from National Assembly leadership following Duale's earlier assurance that money would be released by December 1.
Turkana South MP James Lomenen warned that MPs cannot vet President Uhuru Kenyatta's cabinet nominees yet their welfare was not considered.