Court Orders MPs’ Hands Off CDF Funds

The Constitutional Court has ruled that Members of Parliament (MPs) must no longer be involved in managing the Constituency Development Fund and Water Resource Fund (CDFWRF), declaring the current arrangement unconstitutional.

A panel of three judges found that the involvement of MPs in project selection, implementation, and monitoring under the CDF guidelines compromises their constitutional oversight role.

The court also struck down the provision that gives MPs voting rights in local councils, ruling that it violates principles of separation of powers.

The judgment emphasized that MPs should not exercise executive functions at the local level, as this blurs the lines between the legislature and executive.

The ruling now removes MPs from direct control of the CDF, signaling a shift toward improved checks and balances in public resource management.

Source: NPL