Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has come under intense scrutiny for allegedly favouring his constituency in the allocation of funds, prompting other MPs to visit the area to benchmark his development projects.
The claims were raised by both Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Minority Leader Junet Mohammed during a heated exchange in the National Assembly on Tuesday. Their attack is seen as part of a broader push to justify Nyoro’s potential removal as chairman of the Budget Committee.
Ichung’wah accused some MPs of turning the budget-making process into “a cash grab for the privileged few.” “This House will not sit back and allow a handful of MPs to allocate funds only to their constituencies while the rest of the country is left begging for crumbs. We were not sent here to enrich ourselves; we were sent here to serve Kenyans fairly,” he stated.
He further warned those joining the committee that they would not be allowed to continue such practices. “I want to send a clear warning. Any MP who joins that committee thinking they will continue these bad practices should think again. We will not allow Parliament to be turned into a marketplace for looters,” he added.
On his part, Mohammed questioned why Kiharu had become the benchmark for the proper use of the National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
“Tell me, Mr Speaker, what exactly is happening in Kiharu that we must all go and see? Has the Messiah returned there? Is there a new economic miracle we haven’t heard about?” he asked.
Mohammed went on to claim that while Kiharu was receiving a disproportionate share of funds, other constituencies were struggling to secure even minimal allocations. He also accused Nyoro of “looting” to fund the projects his constituency was now showcasing.
“The Budget Committee went around the country, telling people they had allocated Ksh 2 billion for public participation. Then suddenly, that figure jumped to Ksh 12 billion. And who benefited? Not the counties that were promised—No! The money ended up in the pockets of a select few,” he said.
“Let’s be honest. Which MP here can build castles with their CDF funds? These things are happening because some people have access to ‘bigger money’—money that does not belong to them but to Kenyans. And they are stealing it in broad daylight!” Mohammed added.
Speaker Moses Wetang’ula refrained from asking the two MPs to substantiate their claims, instead issuing a warning to those appointed to the committee, urging them to ensure fairness in the allocation of funds.
The attack on Nyoro has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many arguing that it is unjust. Some have pointed to statistics showing that Kiharu has not been disproportionately favoured during Nyoro’s two-and-a-half-year tenure as chairman of the Budget Committee, noting that many of the projects in his constituency were started during his first term when Ichung’wah was incidentally at the helm.
An analysis of the NG-CDF funds for the 2024/25 financial year also reveals that the Ksh 188,414,052.20 allocated to Kiharu is not the highest; several other constituencies across the country received similar amounts. These include Starehe, Kitutu Masaba, South Mugirango, Nyaribari Chache, Kisumu Central, Bondo, Gem, Butula, Teso South, Teso North, Tongaren, Mt Elgon, Sabatia, Lurambi, Shinyalu, Lugari, Ainamoi, Kilgoris, Narok South, Narok North, Nakuru Town West, Laikipia West, and Eldama Ravine.
Other constituencies receiving comparable amounts include Aldai, Marakwet West, Keiyo South, Turbo, Kiminini, Samburu North, Kapenguria, Kacheliba, Turkana North, Maragwa, Kandara, Gatanga, Mathira, Kibwezi West, Mbooni, Mwala, Kitui South, Kitui East, Manyatta, Runyenjes, South Imenti, Voi, Garsen, and Magarini.
According to the analysis, constituencies such as Kieni, Naivasha, Kinangop, Mwea, Ruiru, Kanduyi, and Bobasi received the highest allocation of Ksh 206.7 million, while Budalangi and Suba South received the lowest at Ksh 70.5 million.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, in its handbook on CDFs, notes that while fund distribution begins with equal allocation to each constituency, other factors such as population size, level of development, poverty rates, and remoteness from the capital are also taken into consideration.
Moreover, the NG-CDF Act 2023 stipulates that funds from the kitty must be allocated to specific projects as submitted by the constituencies.
