Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has firmly defended the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) against potential abolition.
During a media briefing at the Treasury headquarters on Thursday, January 15, 2026, Mbadi, who has served two terms as the elected representative for Suba East, highlighted the fund’s benefits based on his firsthand experience. He expressed his commitment to maintaining the CDF, despite recent court rulings declaring it unconstitutional.
Mbadi urged fellow parliamentarians to explore ways to incorporate the fund into their legislative framework, advocating for innovative models to sustain it or even embedding it within the constitution. He emphasized his strong support for devolving resources to grassroots communities, asserting that the CDF is essential for serving the Kenyan populace.
He also advocated for a similar approach to the Affirmative Action Fund, which supports women representatives in their counties. “We must find a way to entrench the NG-CDF into the constitution. Abolishing it is not an option. I have witnessed its impact firsthand. It should coexist with the Affirmative Action Fund. I oppose any measures that restrict funding to grassroots initiatives,” he stated.
The urgency of this discussion arises as the CDF faces a critical deadline, with only four months remaining before the courts mandate its complete dissolution by June 2026. This impending deadline has sparked significant concern among MPs and senators, with Kimilili MP expressing skepticism about the lawmakers’ ability to revive the fund, which he described as being on its “deathbed.”
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called for a referendum to address these enduring challenges, asserting that constitutional amendments represent the only viable solution to this impasse, alongside discussions regarding the Senate Oversight Fund.
The late Raila Odinga was among several prominent leaders who criticized the fund’s management, urging MPs to focus on their primary responsibilities of oversight, representation, and legislation while leaving financial management to county officials.
