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Ruto lauds MPs for passing law to allow CDF to fund climate programmes

President William Ruto during the National Government Constituency Development Fund 20th Anniversary at Safari Park, Nairobi County. (X/Willia Ruto)

By Barack Oduor | 03 May 2024

Ruto spoke during the 20th anniversary of the NG-CDF held in Nairobi where he exuded confidence that the new focus on war against climate change will have a positive gain to the country.

President William Ruto on Friday praised MPs for including climate change-related programmes as one of the mandates the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) should fund in the new changes to the law guiding the kitty.

Ruto spoke during the 20th anniversary of the NG-CDF held at Safari Park, Nairobi, where he exuded confidence that the new focus on war against climate change will have a positive gain to the country.

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"This is a good opportunity to express my profound appreciation to our National Assembly for decisively rallying to the cause of climate action through the NG-CDF (Amendment) Act, 2023, which amended the law to increase the ceiling of permissible allocations by constituencies towards climate action from 2 per cent to 5 per cent," said Ruto.

He said that the NG-CDF national board should not spend more than 5 per cent of allocated funds on their administrative functions, and must therefore disburse at least 95 per cent to the constituencies to ensure that more funds are channelled directly into local development projects, which are overseen by Project Management Committees. The President argued that it is only 6 per cent that should be devoted to administrative and recurrent expenditures.

"Through NG-CDF, 3,087 new schools have been established countrywide -1,369 primary and 1,718 secondary schools. By building accommodation facilities, the NG-CDF has also facilitated access to basic education for 882,026 learners and enhanced transition rates to secondary school. It has also reduced the distance covered by learners and lowered the school construction financing burden on parents," explained Ruto.

We acknowledge the central role played by the National Government Constituency Development Fund in bridging the gap between government interventions and the aspirations of the people at the grassroots. This people-driven fund continues to drive our development, enhancing… pic.twitter.com/Nevud2pUmY
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) May 3, 2024

The Head of State expressed delight that the digital superhighway strategic pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda has received a direct boost from the NG-CDF, which has contributed to the establishment of at least 116 constituency innovation hubs. Additionally, the fund will support the establishment of 1,450 digital hubs, one in every ward countrywide.

According to him, the promotion of employment of local contractors, suppliers and labour, as well as the utilisation of local materials by the NG-CDF enhances inclusion and stimulates local economic activity, leading to employment and wealth creation.

"Project management by committees chosen from the local community leads to continuous social monitoring of project implementation and high-level ownership, which enhances their sustainability."