By Janet Nyamwamu
The National Assembly’s Decentralized Funds Accounts Committee has raised concern over persistent delays in NG-CDF project approvals and late bursary disbursements during audit reviews.
The Thursday, the committee chaired by Gideon Mulyungi focused on administrative and operational bottlenecks within the National Government Constituencies Development Fund Board that lawmakers said continue to slow delivery of development programmes across constituencies despite funds being appropriated through the national budget.
Legislators observed that efficient management of decentralized public funds remains a critical accountability test across the continent, where delays in project execution often weaken public confidence even as governments commit substantial development budgets.
Members questioned officials over recurring audit findings indicating delayed project execution across several financial years, warning that the setbacks have disrupted implementation timelines and undermined service delivery at the grassroots.
West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka urged implementing agencies to ensure existing policies do not hinder early preparation and processing of project proposals.
He told the committee that timely planning remains essential to ensure projects begin immediately after release of funds.
Mogaka emphasized that constituency proposals should ideally be sought, appraised and approved before Parliament passes the national budget to allow seamless implementation once allocations are confirmed.
He explained that following budget approval in June, disbursement typically begins between July and August, enabling projects to commence early in the financial year.
Delays in appraisal and approvals, he cautioned, push implementation further into the year and ultimately deny citizens timely access to services.
The legislator further warned that the approach to an election period could compound the problem, noting that political transitions often slow administrative processes.
Without advance planning, he cautioned, the 2026/2027 budget risks failing to translate into tangible development projects on the ground — a situation he said would negatively affect constituencies that have maintained steady progress through efficient implementation, citing West Mugirango as an example.
MPs also raised concern over delayed bursary disbursements, saying late release of education support funds has left vulnerable students and families uncertain at the start of school terms.
Committee members noted that bursaries funded through NG-CDF play a critical role in improving access to education, particularly for learners from low-income households, and warned that delays directly affect school attendance and continuity of learning.
Lawmakers further cited communication breakdowns between administrators and elected leaders, alleging that delayed responses to inquiries and lack of timely feedback on project proposals have contributed to stalled projects and recurring audit queries.
The committee heard that audit reports have consistently flagged delays in implementation across multiple constituencies over the years, prompting MPs to question whether systemic administrative inefficiencies are driving repeated compliance concerns.
In response, the NG-CDF Board Chief Executive Officer Yusuf Mbuno explained that the legal framework governing the fund requires allocations to be confirmed after Parliament approves the national budget before project proposals can formally be requested from constituencies.
The CEO, however, assured members that efforts would be made to expedite internal processes within the existing legal timelines to reduce delays.
During the sitting, DFAC also examined audited accounts for Pokot South, Kajiado North and Kajiado Central constituencies covering financial years from 2013/2014 to 2022/2023 as part of its oversight mandate.
The committee directed the Board to return with detailed data on project proposals submitted, approved and pending, as well as constituencies yet to comply, as Parliament intensifies scrutiny aimed at improving accountability and efficiency in the management of decentralized public funds.
MPs maintained that delays in approvals and disbursements are not merely procedural challenges but carry real consequences for development outcomes and access to education.
They reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to ensuring public resources translate into timely and visible benefits for citizens.
DFAC resolved to reconvene with responsible officers at a later date as Parliament strengthens oversight aimed at addressing recurring audit concerns and improving efficiency in the management and implementation of constituency-funded development projects.
