MPs storm out of induction retreat over delayed CDF money

National Assembly sitting at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi. [Elvis Ogina,Standard]

Members of Parliament on Monday, January 23 stormed out of an induction retreat demanding release of National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).

The lawmakers are attending a week-long induction workshop in Mombasa at Pride Inn Paradise Beach Resort, Convention Centre and Spa.

They claim the delays in the release of CFD funds put them in a fix considering schools were opening at a time when their kitty had nothing to offer needy students.

"You cannot come to Mombasa to teach parliamentarians how to be parliamentarians. We can't come here for the induction without [CDF]. As we speak today, all students in the constituencies are in the MPs' homes; they are waiting for money, yet we come here to be given chips and sausages," said Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga.

Yatta MP Basil Ngui, demanded the funds be released before the induction could begin.

"Education supersedes everything, na sahii hakuna mambo ya induction, we want money... kama hamna pesa hamna induction," said Basil.

The induction seeks to provide members with requisite knowledge necessary for them to discharge their Constitutional mandate of representation, oversight, and legislation effectively and efficiently.

The programme will provide participants with an opportunity to be taken through the place of Committees in the National Assembly and the roles of Members of Parliament in their respective Committees.

The MPs are also expected to be taken through the corrective measures being undertaken by Parliament in ensuring that the future of the National Government Constituency Development Fund is assured.