From: Judy Miriga

Folks,

Politicians are not sincere and truthful about the CDF funds. Local community must begin to get involved and engaged in matters of CDF allocation and disbursement. These are funds meant for Community Development and planning for its utilization prioritizing projects ….. whether boosting schools and collages improving technologies, water or agriculture management and utilities, the CDF funds must be distributed under an organized Local Community Management Team which includes the Chief of the area, heads of various local facilities, professionals, women groups and Youths including Civil Societies of the Local Community in order plan the effective utilization of the fund successfully. It is not a matter for a Politician to disburse the money secretly. There is need to investigate the misappropriation of CDF funds from every location, and keep constituents informed.

Thanks,

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

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Ethuro, CDF Committee Row Over Funds

standardgroupkenya | September 10, 2010

Controversy has erupted over the use of new poverty figures to determine how much money constituencies get from the national budget. A group of parliamentarians have accused the national bureau of statistics and the constituency development fund board of manipulating the data. The MPS accused CDF committee chairman Ekwe Ethuro of awarding Turkana constituencies 50 million shillings more than they should have received. But in a quick rejoinder, Ethuro said the allocations were done transparently.

Oparanya defends CDF allocations

NTVKenya | September 14, 2010

http://www.ntv.co.ke
Planning minister Wycliffe Oparanya has defended the rationale behind the disbursement of the CDF funds. The system of distributing funds has generated an outcry from some MPs who disapprove the method terming it discriminatory.

CDF Allocations

standardgroupkenya | September 13, 2010

Turkana North constituency will this year receive the highest constituency development fund allocation in the country, following the introduction of a new system of distribution of C-D-F that takes into consideration poverty levels in each constituency. The constituency which according to the 2009 census had the highest poverty levels in the country at 88 percent will receive 103 million shillings. Under the same system, Lamu east, which was found to have the lowest concentration of poor people at just under a quarter of its population, will get the lowest allocation countrywide at 51 million shillings.

Busting CDF crooks

NTVKenya | April 06, 2010

http://www.ntv.co.ke
There is a new means to swindle billions of shillings from taxpayers each year through the constituency development fund CDF, and local authorities transfer funds. The damning report by the Nation Taxpayers Association NTA, shows at least a third of the money allocated to 23 sample constituencies in the last financial year could not be accounted for. Many constituencies also have ghost projects that exist in records but were never implemented, with other constituencies starting non-feasible projects that were dropped midstream, after consuming colossal amounts of money.

CDF loopholes

NTVKenya | April 06, 2010

http://www.ntv.co.ke
The damning audit on CDF has revealed gaping loopholes in one of Kenyas most celebrated initiatives. In its seven-year existence the implementation of the fund has been dogged by controversy and influence peddling by members of parliament. NTVs Jane Kiyo examines what ails the noble idea of the constituency development fund.

CDF Funds Disbursed

kenyacitizentv | October 12, 2009

The government today released the constituency development fund projects allocations but cautioned that out of the total 6.2 billion shillings in the kitty in this financial year, less than half of the amount had so far been released by the treasury. From the allocations, Bahari constituency got the biggest share at 74.2 million shillings, while Mvita constituency got the least with 44.7m shillings.

Uhuru says CDF funds were released

NTVKenya | October 23, 2009

http://www.ntv.co.ke
The question of whether the constituency development funds popularly known as CDF been released or not? Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta maintains that the cash was released a few weeks back. This sharply contrasts the position held by the ministry of Planning, when allocations per constituency were published in sections of the media.

CDF controversy:Treasury has done it’s bit

NTVKenya | October 23, 2009

http://www.ntv.co.ke
A week since Members of Parliament accused the Treasury of failing to disburse half of the Constituency Development Funds due to their respective constituencies, Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta is categorical that the Treasury has complete its assignment. Uhuru has instead passed the buck to the Ministry of Planning, which has the oversight of the expenditure of that.

Minister rejects new poverty index

standardgroupkenya | September 17, 2008

The government beat a hasty retreat over a national poverty index it released recently that drew protests from members of parliament. Planning minister Wycliffe Oparanya says constituency development fund CDF allocations for the next two financial years will not be based on the disputed poverty index.

C.D.F: Oparanya releases 10 billion from kitty
September 16, 2008

Lobby group tells public to watch on use of CDF

By DANIEL NZIA

The public has been urged to be vigilant to ensure devolved funds sent to their areas are put into proper use.

A non-governmental organisation said wananchi should be fully involved in the management of the devolved funds such as Constituency Development Funds and LATF among others.

National Taxpayers Association (NTA) National Co-ordinator Kizito Wangalwa said Kenyans have a right to know the amount of money allocated to their respective regions.

“You should be vigilant and ensure the money is put into proper use to achieve the desired goals,” said the NTA boss.

Wangalwa, who was accompanied by the NTA Eastern Region Co-ordinator Ms Annah Katuki, observed that involvement of locals in the management of devolved funds would minimise misuse and promote transparency.

He was speaking at Tala township primary school during the launch of Citizens’ Report card for Kangundo constituency CDF projects implementation.

He commended area MP Johnson Muthama for being a top tax-payer, exuding confidence he would safeguard the CDF funds. He assured MPs that NTA was not on a witchhunt but wanted to enhance CDF management.

Wangalwa, however, told those who “abandoned” development projects risked rejection by the electorate.

Ms Katuki said investigations had revealed three ghost projects in the constituency and recommended investigations to fast-track the funds.

Besides Kangundo, the group also toured Mwala and Yatta constituencies