Kakamega: A national youth-led civic platform, Young Patriots for Unity and Progress (YPUP-Kenya), has called for the withdrawal of the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (National Assembly Bill No. 4 of 2025). The Bill seeks to entrench the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF), National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), and the Senate Oversight Fund into the Constitution.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kenyans across the country are currently submitting their views on the proposed Bill through public participation forums. Speaking to KNA in Kakamega, the chairperson of YPUP-Kenya Kakamega chapter, Daniel Adikha, advocated for the reallocation of the funds currently designated to these national funds to county governments. He highlighted that most of the funds in the NGCDF are used for bursaries and classroom construction, tasks he believes could be managed more effectively by county governments with adequate funding.
Adikha pointed out that county governments are facing challenges in executing their roles due to the delayed disbursement of shared revenue. He suggested that redirecting NGCDF and NGAAF funds could address this financial gap. Furthermore, he questioned the necessity of a Senate Oversight Fund, arguing that Senators are already remunerated for oversight duties and should be supported through institutional budgets.
He stressed that for meaningful development and life transformation, Members of Parliament should concentrate on legislation and oversight to ensure prudent use of development funds. Adikha called for the enhancement of existing structures and institutions to foster equitable development and urged all government entities to honor judicial decisions and uphold the rule of law.
He urged Members of Parliament to avoid short-term political temptations and to uphold the spirit of the 2010 Constitution. Adikha emphasized that the Senate should protect devolution by rejecting frameworks that centralize project implementation.