Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji has defended the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF), saying it plays a critical role in supporting Kenya’s education system and should be safeguarded in line with the Constitution.

During a Monday interview on Citizen TV’s Daybreak program, Mukunji argued that the fund remains one of the most effective development vehicles, insisting that reforms should strengthen rather than weaken the fund.

According to the lawmaker, NGCDF has been instrumental in easing the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), particularly through infrastructure development in schools. 

“If it were not for NGCDF, things such as the new education model, the CBC, would be a serious problem in Kenya today. But NGCDF has actually worked to ensure that CBC is working well,” Mukunji said.

He pointed out that projects funded through NGCDF have ensured the availability of laboratories and other facilities required under the CBC framework.

“From my constituency alone, as we speak, all my primary schools that have junior secondary classes have laboratory equipment today, courtesy of NGCDF. And that is a program that we did,” he noted.

Mukunji further argued that the fund allows for faster implementation of community-based projects compared to the national government, which he said is often stalled by bureaucracy and delayed disbursement of capitation funds.

“Some of the projects that NGCDF has done today would have taken years for the national government to implement in some places. We come here every day, telling you that capitation money has been cut, and capitation money has not even gotten to the schools. These are things that would have actually ruined our education system,” he said.

The MP maintained that NGCDF resources are managed prudently and directly impact communities. He called for constitutional alignment of the fund to ensure its continuity.

“This fund is working, it is helping Kenyans, it is very prudent, resources are not getting lost anyhow. So, let’s align it with the Constitution to ensure that we are able to continue enjoying the fruits of NGCDF,” he said.