In a moment of rare political unity, the National Assembly has passed the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025, marking a significant shift in how grassroots development is anchored in law. The Bill, which seeks to constitutionally entrench the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), the Senate Oversight Fund (SOF), and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), sailed through both the Second and Third Readings without a single vote of dissent. During the Second Reading, 304 Members of Parliament voted in favour, while 298 backed it at the Third Reading.
The amendment, co-sponsored by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo and Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga, was introduced to the House on March 12, 2025. It was then forwarded to the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), which conducted a comprehensive round of public consultations across the country. The Committee’s report, tabled on June 17, showed overwhelming national support over 98.4 percent of submissions backed the move.
Prof. Guyo Jaldesa, the JLAC Vice Chair and MP for Moyale, summed up the public sentiment simply: “The people have spoken.” He emphasized that the Bill was not just a legal measure but a reflection of the will of Kenyans who have seen first-hand the impact of these funds in their communities.
The core objective of the amendment is to provide constitutional protection and clarity for the three funds, which have for years played a pivotal role in Kenya’s development journey. The NG-CDF has been instrumental in supporting education and infrastructure at the constituency level, the Senate Oversight Fund is expected to enhance the Senate’s role in holding county governments accountable, and the NGAAF continues to champion the needs of vulnerable groups particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah hailed the NG-CDF as the most impactful government fund on the ground, describing it as a vital supplement to county allocations. “These funds allow the national government to meet its responsibilities in education, security, and social welfare. This is service delivery at its most practical level,” he said.
Support for the Bill cut across party lines, with MPs offering personal stories of how these funds have transformed lives in their constituencies. Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi spoke passionately about the role of NG-CDF in shaping careers and improving infrastructure. “There are doctors, magistrates, teachers, and engineers who owe their education to this fund. We cannot walk away from it especially now when CBC requires new facilities like science labs,” she argued.
Kaiti MP Joshua Kimilu painted a vivid picture of the fund’s impact. “Every year, over 280 students in my constituency benefit from full scholarships. You can physically see the results in classrooms, libraries, and school compounds.”
Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed recalled how, before the advent of NG-CDF, his region had only three secondary schools. “Today we have twelve, and more are on the way. County governments haven’t delivered comparable results.”
For Baringo North’s Joseph Makilap, the fund has helped shift the culture of development away from dependency on public fundraising. “Since I took office, we’ve built schools and administration blocks without a single harambee. NG-CDF is the one fund delivering real and visible results.”
Otiende Amollo, one of the Bill’s sponsors, underscored its legal intent, explaining that it respects Kenya’s constitutional design by clearly distinguishing decentralisation from devolution. “This amendment isn’t about undermining counties it’s about strengthening our commitment to equity and grassroots development,” he said.
With this landmark vote, Parliament has sent a clear message: community development, oversight, and affirmative action are not optional they are constitutional imperatives. The passage of the Bill marks a turning point in how Kenya secures and sustains transformative progress at the grassroots level.
