Nairobi: Ndia residents have unanimously backed the retention of the National Government Development Constituency Fund (NG-CDF) to facilitate development in villages. Residents led by Ndia Member of Parliament Hon. George Kariuki expressed their support during a public participation session in Kirinyaga County, highlighting the fund as a transformative force since its inception.

According to Kenya News Agency, the legislator advocated for the entrenchment of the fund in the constitution, emphasizing its crucial role in supporting education for students from vulnerable backgrounds across his constituency and throughout Kenya. Kariuki stated that the fund has significantly contributed to the growth of many constituencies, providing National Government Administration officers (NGAO) with improved working environments.

‘When you go around, you will witness NG-CDF projects across the constituency. We have built school places where there were no schools that bring education closer to the public. We have also reconstructed schools which were in a bad state to the modern standards, thus giving our learners a good learning environment, and all this is brought by the presence of the NG-CDF,” said Kariuki.

Kariuki, speaking during a public participation event held at St. Philips Baricho Day School, urged the public to make informed decisions to ensure the future education of their children. He added that once the bill is passed into law, it cannot be amended without public approval. He also called on politicians and those seeking to disband the NG-CDF to stop misleading the public, clarifying that MPs do not personally benefit from the fund but merely provide oversight.

During the session, the legislator issued a bursary cheque of 60 million shillings, an increase from last year’s 52 million shillings, which will benefit 8,000 students in secondary and tertiary institutions, including children living with disabilities. He called upon teachers to give their best to the learners, emphasizing that an educated community makes informed decisions.

Kariuki noted that before the inception of the fund, poor parents were compelled to finance school development projects from their own pockets, further burdening their educational expenses. Speakers at the forum also advocated for an increase in the allocated amount and urged parliament to facilitate the enactment of the fund into law for future generations.