Let’s see how well we spend Sh10 billion CDF outlay in a week

Last week outgoing MPs received monies disbursed to the Constituency Development Fund kitties from the Treasury.

The Sh10.1 billion balance was released just 10 days before accounts, which will be credited with the monies, are frozen.

It remains questionable why the funds should be released this late to patrons whose terms are expiring.

This triggered a rush to complete pending projects after learning from experiences where new MPs abandoned programmes started by those they defeated in elections.

But outgoing MPs have a duty to use public funds in a credible and accountable way.

Already CDF Committees responsible for facilitating implementation of CDF projects at the constituency have been advised to fast track implementation of CDF projects by January 15, when their accounts will be frozen to pave way for the March 4 elections.

Herein lies the danger: The funds, released only last week, must be spent at lightning speed in the next one week. Does this mean we will release monies to contractors who have not accomplished their projects?

What risks come with paying contractors in advance? We hope no projects woulf be abandoned because CDF accounts are being frozen or monies diverted to accounts to hold funds on behalf of incomplete projects.

There are reports that some of the funds had been planned for and allocated in advance. Our prayer is that such funds would be disbursed to the originally intended projects.

Having been the showcase for what devolved funds can do save for a few reports of abuse, CDF must go down as an idea that was timely and went a long way to plugging gaps of skewed allocation of national resources.

It would be sad if CDF is diverted to finance campaigns of MPs at the expense of development projects. The CDF committees must stand with the people and guard against misuse at all costs.

In future, the Treasury must disburse funds in good time – not at the tail end of term of MPs.