Raila Faces Hostility in Front of Ruto as MPs Reject Move to Scrap CDF
On Monday, August 18, President William Ruto and ODM party leader Raila Odinga held a rare joint Parliamentary Group meeting that brought together legislators from both ODM and the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
The high-profile meeting, which was intended to foster collaboration between the two sides, quickly became tense after Raila made controversial remarks regarding the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
Raila’s Position on Scrapping CDF
While addressing the lawmakers, Raila again pushed for the complete scrapping of the NG-CDF. According to him, members of parliament should focus strictly on making laws and performing oversight duties, not running development projects in their constituencies.
He argued that development work is the role of county governments, not members of the National Assembly.
Raila pointed out that a constituency is not a devolved unit under the Constitution, insisting that devolution should remain at the county level.
He explained that county governments should handle implementation of projects within constituencies, while the national government handles only national programs.
“Constituency is not an element of devolution. Devolution is at the county level. In constituencies, it is the county government that should implement development projects,” Raila said.
He further emphasized, “MPs should only be involved in oversight and lawmaking. If MPs are building schools and roads, then who will oversee those projects?”
Hostile Reaction from MPs
His remarks did not sit well with many of the lawmakers in the meeting. Several MPs were captured on video murmuring and jeering in disapproval as Raila spoke.
Their reaction became so hostile that President Ruto had to step in, signaling the noisy legislators to be quiet and allow Raila to finish his address.
Despite the negative reaction, Raila stood firm. He requested the MPs to let him explain his position fully, promising them that they would also get a chance to express their views. Raila told them that even if they disagreed, the truth still needed to be said.
“I know the truth hurts,” Raila said. “But MPs should not handle development projects. That responsibility should be left to counties.”
He added that MPs should not be involved in the construction of schools, roads and other infrastructure in their constituencies, stressing once again that their primary job is to oversee and make laws.
Push for Counties to Run Schools
Raila has also been pushing for wider constitutional and administrative reforms that would shift more responsibilities from the national government to county governments.
While speaking at the 2025 Devolution Conference in Homa Bay on August 14, he said the 2010 Constitution envisioned cooperation between the national and county governments in a way that avoids duplication and wastage of resources.
He argued that overlapping duties between the two levels of government waste money, time and effort.
As an example, he proposed that secondary schools should no longer be managed by the national government, but instead be handed over to county governments so that responsibilities are clearer and more efficient.
His comments continue to spark debate nationwide, especially among MPs who rely on the CDF to carry out visible development projects in their constituencies.
The clash in the meeting highlights the growing tension over how devolved resources and development projects should be managed in the country.
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