Public Participation on Constitution (Amendment) Bill Kicks Off in Westlands as Residents Back NG-CDF Entrenchment

𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢 — 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

More than 500 residents of Westlands Constituency today turned up at the Westlands NG-CDF offices in Kyuna for the first day of the Public Participation forum on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill No.4, 2025, a proposal seeking to anchor three critical funds into the Constitution — the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), and the Senate Oversight Fund.

Westlands MP, Hon. Tim Wanyonyi, who presided over the opening session, passionately rallied residents to support the constitutional amendment, terming NG-CDF a lifeline for grassroots development.

“We have a new bill before us that seeks to entrench NG-CDF, NGAAF, and the Senate Oversight Fund into the Constitution. Once that is done, no one will have the liberty to rush to courts to challenge their constitutionality. NG-CDF was the first devolved fund in Kenya and for over 20 years, it has transformed lives — from building schools, police houses, chief’s offices, and health facilities, to improving roads before county governments came in,” Hon. Wanyonyi remarked.

The MP emphasized that NG-CDF is not a Fund for MPs but a fund for the people, and argued for its increase from 2.5% to at least 5% of the national revenue allocation to enhance bursary allocations, scholarships, and other community projects.

His sentiments were met with loud applause and ululation from the gathered residents, most of whom shared emotional testimonies on how NG-CDF had transformed their lives and their children’s futures.

𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

Dennis Oduor, a local resident, was firm:

“Nobody should dare touch NG-CDF. It’s the only way ordinary citizens like us get to access essential services easily.”

Timothy Okworo added, “I strongly support this Constitution (Amendment) Bill because it will safeguard NG-CDF, which has brought us schools, bursaries, and projects we can account for.”

Victor Otieno shared a personal story, “Me and my four siblings went through school because of NG-CDF bursaries. It has lifted many poor families and transformed livelihoods.”

Agnes Malesi acknowledged NG-CDF’s impact saying, “We’ve established four new secondary schools in Westlands through NG-CDF — Kabete Vet Lab, Loresho, Farasi Lane, and North Highridge. It even pays for health insurance for the aged and needy. We can’t afford to lose it.”

PWD representative Rachael Afundi lauded NG-CDF and NGAAF for being inclusive:

“As a PWD, NG-CDF has been the only place we get school fees for our children and assistive devices through NGAAF. It must be increased.”

Others including Obed Angele, Phonic Njeka, Baskalia Laboso, Frida Lenayasa, and Obed Angele echoed similar sentiments, praising NG-CDF’s efficiency, accessibility, and accountability, while contrasting it with county governments which they claimed were distant from grassroots realities.

Hon. Tim Wanyonyi concluded by urging residents to submit their written memoranda before Tuesday, 10th June 2025, noting that the public’s voice would be critical in safeguarding their development agenda.

The public participation exercise continues at the Westlands NG-CDF offices, Gituamba Lane off Kyuna Crescent, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily until Thursday, 8th May 2025.