Residents of Kiminini Constituency, Trans Nzoia County, today turned up in large numbers to voice their strong support for the proposed constitutional amendment to entrench the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), and the Senate Oversight Fund.
The public forum, held at the Kiminini Primary, saw calls for the protection and continuity of the funds, which residents say have significantly improved education, infrastructure, social welfare, and access to basic services.
Kiminini MP Hon. Kakai Bissau described the fund as “a catalyst for dignity, access and opportunity,” calling on Parliament to rise above politics and do what’s right for the people.
“This fund is not a favour to the people, it is their right. NG-CDF has put children in classrooms, water in homes, and opportunity in villages that were once forgotten. Anchoring it in the Constitution is how we protect these gains for generations to come,” said Hon. Bissau.
Mzee Enos Kisiangani, a resident who studied at Kiminini Primary in 1968, said he had witnessed firsthand the transformation brought by CDF.
“Nilisomea Kiminini Primary 1968 na haikukaa hivi. Mheshimiwa Bissau umebadilisha maisha ya watoto wetu,” he said.
Emmaculate, a student in the school said, “NGCDF has brought us water, built ramps for persons with disabilities, constructed sports fields, and staffrooms for our teachers. It helps us stay in school. It should stay,” she said.
A St. Andrews Baraton student, Michelle, said the bursary program under CDF has shielded many from dropping out when government disbursements delay.
“CDF sustains us in school. Nowadays, more girls are going to university, and teen pregnancies have gone down,” she said.
Veteran elder Mzee Wanyama had a blunt message for critics of the fund,“Mtu mwenye anaota ndoto za mchana za kuondoa CDF hajui maana ya CDF. Watoto wetu wamepata elimu kutoka CDF. Wao ndio wanakuja kuinua jamii.”
Echoing this was Protus Juma, who spoke about past struggles, “Kitambo mtoto akifika Class Eight, haezi songa mbele. Sahi, CDF inawapeleka hadi high school. Iendelee.”
School principal Lucy Shirandula praised the fund’s contribution to easing the burden on parents and enabling quality education.
“CDF has built twin science labs, roads, dormitories, and classrooms. It has transformed lives and alleviated the load parents carry. I fully support its continuity.”
In a heartfelt statement, Emily, a young mother, said, “CDF imetusongeza mbele na mwenye macho haambiwi tazama.”
As the national debate on the proposed constitutional entrenchment of the funds continues, the message from Kiminini is clear, development must be safeguarded, and the voice of the grassroots must not be ignored.
“CDF iendelee, wasijaribu kunyonga,” one resident concluded.
