The National Assembly has unanimously passed the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to anchor three critical development funds into the Constitution: the National Government Constituencies Fund (NG-CF), the Senate Oversight Fund (SOF), and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).
During the Second Reading of the Bill, 304 Members of Parliament voted in favour, with none opposing. At the Third Reading, 298 MPs supported the Bill, registering a unanimous vote.
The Bill, co-sponsored by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo and Samuel Chepkonga (Ainabkoi), was introduced to the House on 12th March 2025 and referred to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs (JLAC) for consideration.
Are Kenyans in support of NG-CDF?
The Committee conducted extensive public participation across all 290 constituencies and tabled its report on 17th June 2025, revealing that more than 98% of submissions supported the proposal.
The principal aim of the constitutional amendment is to provide legal certainty and constitutional protection to the three funds. The NG-CF is designed to enhance equitable access to national government services, particularly in education and infrastructure at the grassroots level.
The SOF will strengthen the Senate’s oversight role over county governments, while NGAAF will enhance support for vulnerable groups, including women, youth and persons with disabilities.
Leader of Majority Kimani Ichung’wah hailed the NG-CF as the “most impactful” fund at the community level, noting that it complements—not competes with—county government resources.
“These funds have enabled the national government to fulfil its obligations in education, security and social support. They are a practical example of service delivery at the grassroots,” he said.
MPs back bill on NG-CDF, NGAAF
The Bill enjoyed bipartisan support, with Members from across the political divide citing personal testimonies, constituency success stories and national development benefits of the NG-CF and related funds.
MP Otiende Amollo highlighted the constitutional alignment of the Bill, stating, “This amendment distinguishes between devolution and decentralisation and seeks to complement the spirit of equitable development envisioned in our Constitution.”
On her part, Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North) emphasised the transformative power of NG-CF in education and infrastructure.
“There are doctors, magistrates, teachers and engineers who owe their education to this Fund. We cannot think of abandoning it just as the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) demands new infrastructure like laboratories,” she said.
Having met the constitutional threshold of a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, the Bill now proceeds to the Senate for consideration.
