CAF Leaders Engage National Assembly on County Wards Fund Bill

A high-level consultative meeting between the County Assemblies Forum (CAF) and the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) was held to deliberate on the proposed County Wards (Equitable Development) Fund Bill, 2024.

The session brought together CAF Chairperson Hon. Seth Mwatela Kamanza (Speaker, Kwale), CAF Eastern Cluster Chairperson and Kitui County Assembly Speaker Hon. Kevin Kinengo Katisya, and other members of the CAF Legal Affairs Sub-Committee. They engaged JLAC Chairperson Hon. George Gitonga Murugara (MP, Tharaka) and his team in a robust discussion aimed at aligning the bill with national fiscal and constitutional frameworks.

According to Hon. Kinengo, the bill represents a transformative step toward ensuring equitable resource distribution and empowering wards as the true engines of grassroots development. He emphasized the importance of embedding county perspectives within the national legislative agenda to enhance accountability and local ownership of development projects.

The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee commended CAF for its proactive approach in legislative engagement and pledged to conduct a thorough review of the draft bill. The committee assured that its final recommendations will prioritize the best interests of the people by promoting fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in the allocation of public funds.

If enacted, the County Wards Fund Bill is expected to redefine fiscal devolution by channeling development resources directly to ward levels — bridging gaps in service delivery and deepening citizen participation in governance across counties.