Ruto Intervenes, Signs CDF Law Pumping More Money Into Schools

President William Ruto has increased bursaries under the Constituencies Development Fund to ensure smooth learning, following the signing into law of The National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) (Amendment) Bill.

The law increases the allocation from 35 per cent to 40 per cent, a move that will facilitate continuity and completion of education by students, according to a statement from State House.

Furthermore, the additional funds will also cater for school feeding programmes, especially in drought-stricken areas.

“This will check drop-outs, boost enrollment and further the Government’s efforts to increase literacy,” said Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw’ah.

President William Ruto assents to the NG-CDF Bill as other leaders look on at State House on Monday, December 11, 2023. /PCS

The Act also increases CDF allocation on environmental activities from two per cent to five per cent to fund for climate crisis and introduces a three per cent allocation of the Fund for Constituencies’ digital hubs.

The hubs, the Government observes, are key in enabling the youth to acquire skills to boost their employability.

The signing of the bill is considered a vital intervention by President Ruto's government and can be seen as one that resolves a standoff that escalated in Parliament when a section of lawmakers walked out of the August House protesting the delay in the disbursement of funds to NG-CDF.

On Tuesday, December 5, Kenya Kwanza MPs joined a team of opposition MPs led by Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi in demanding Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah to liaise with the National Treasury to have the funds released with immediate effect.

Despite Ichung'wah assuring MPs that Ndung'u would address the matter by Thursday, some lawmakers walked out of the House, chanting "No CDF, no Parliament" and demanded that the House not proceed with its normal business until the funds are released.

“I want to assure members of Parliament who are here because they are our great partners in matters of delivery of education. Don’t worry the money for you to disburse for bursary in January will be in the account before schools reopen,” Ruto stated two days after the dramatic walkout.

National Lottery Bill

Meanwhile, the President also assented to the National Lottery Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 69 of 2023), which paves the way for the establishment of the National Lottery Board that will administer the newly-established National Lottery.

The Board will be tasked with the supervision, control and monitoring of the operations of the National Lottery. It will also be mandated to erect measures to prevent fraud in the conduct of the National Lottery.

Ichungw’ah, the sponsor of the Bill, said the goal of the conduct of the National Lottery is to fund social development in the country.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula, Attorney General Justin Muturi and Solicitor General Shadrack Mose, among others, were present during the signing of the two bills.