MPs vow to keep CDF 'at all costs', express displeasure with Judiciary

Nairobi, Kenya - MPs have vowed to go back to corridors of justice to seek an extension of the one-year deadline they were given to wind up the multimillion Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for each of the 290 constituencies.

 

They said they will also want the Judiciary to stay the declaration that the Constituency Development Fund Act was unconstitutional.

In a meeting in Nairobi's Safari Park yesterday, the MPs said the date with the court will allow them to have time to prosecute their case. They have already filed a case at the Court of Appeal.

The chairman of the House Committee on CDF, Moses Lessonet (Eldama Ravine) said the pursuit for more funds will not cease.

"Despite the court ruling, CDF is still needed out there. We must do all that is necessary to make sure CDF continues to flow," he said.

The MPs said they were upset with the Judiciary. "Anybody who hates MPs and hates CDF might as well go to hell," said Jakoyo Midiwo(Gem), the Deputy Minority Leader. Jimmy Angwenyi (Kitutu Chache North) said: "The judiciary must respect the Legislature, they seem not to!"

There was a storm when one of the experts the MPs had invited told them to their face that the fund was illegal, and that unless they call a referendum to amend the Constitution, it will be futile to make little changes to the Acts of the House.

"The choice is either to abolish CDF or abolish the MPs' role in it," said Wachira Maina, a constitutional lawyer. But MPs booed him. The lawyer was not fazed.

"I want us to have a frank family talk. The fact that something is good doesn't make it unconstitutional," said Maina.

Amina Abdalla (nominated) told off her colleagues for trying to shout down the lawyer.