Parents have vented their frustrations to Members of Parliament for passing a bill in the National Assembly that sought to disperse funds to constituencies for the development of the education sector.
Represented by the National Parents Association Chairperson Nicholas Maiyo, the parents expressed their concerns over the increase in the number of school dropouts due to changes in funding made to the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) following a court order which declared the CDF unconstitutional.
Maiyo said that the CDF kitty has contributed at the rate of 80% towards the development and stabilization of the education sector through bursaries, scholarships and infrastructure in schools across the country.
“Children need the support they have been getting through the CDF to ensure they stay in school. There are orphaned children who only depend on scholarships and bursaries to study,” said Maiyo.
However, Maiyo revealed that they have hopes that the elected leaders will represent their interests.
The National Parents Association Migori Branch Chairperson Peter Odondi revealed that the CDF is the only hope for parents who have little income and learners from poor backgrounds or orphans to save them from the agony of lack of school fees.
Odondi added that educating a community needs adequate support from all stakeholders of education.
On his part, Migori Director of Education Jacob Onyiego appreciated the efforts of MPs to ensure that the number of school dropouts is reduced through the CDFs.
Onyiego lauded the MPs for working together with the Ministry of Education to ensure that the education sector is upgraded to its current state.
“I appreciate the efforts of the elected leaders in improving infrastructure and issuing scholarships to help in the implementation of the 100 per cent transition policy,” said Onyiego.
Onyiego urged leaders to find an amicable solution to ensure that the dreams of learners are kept alive.
The MPs urged patience saying that the NG-CDF will be available to do its functions as before.
Uriri MP Hon. Mark Nyamita urged for calm as the current NG-CDF has been in existence under the CDF Act 2015 and that all functions and projects will still be available in the new arrangement.
On his part, Nyatike MP Tom Odege said that most projects which have impacted development in the country have been due to the NG-CDF.
Suna West MP Peter Masara said that as elected leaders they will still be serving the interests of the people they represent at the National Assembly.
NG-CDF board has echoed the MP’s sentiments and rebuffed criticism regarding the nullification of the NG-CDF.
The board’s CEO Yusuf Mbuna said that the NG-CDF is still operating under the 2015 Act and that the Supreme Court only ruled that the 2013 NG-CDF Act was unconstitutional.
Mbuna said that the funds for this financial year have even been increased from Kshs. 41.7 billion to Kshs. 44 Billion.
He also revealed that the 290 constituencies in Kenya will not be receiving the same amount as it was before (Kshs. 135 million) with the amount being issued based on the number of wards per constituency.