Nakuru Town East Member of Parliament David Gikaria has challenged young parliamentarians to take lead in initiating pro-youth policies.
Gikaria revealed that he has been challenging young parliamentarians in the current National Assembly to take lead.
Speaking at Nakuru Town East NG-CDF office on Tuesday May 6, 2025 during public participation forum on the Constitutional Amendment Bill No 4 of 2025 touching on NG-CDF, the Lawmaker said it is time that young people in leadership should help offer solutions to the youth who make a larger majority in the country.
He decried failure by some of the youthful MPs to articulate issues touching on young people despite them being in a position to do so.
“In Parliament we have more than youthful MPs but they have failed to bring policies that can help young people in the country. The young generation in position should help bring the change that is needed in the country. We have challenged them that they should lead by example in this country in the National Assembly,” he stated.
Gikaria who is serving his third term as MP has helped young people in Nakuru East reform from criminal gangs.
He has maintained that he will not be defending his Parliamentary seat come 2027 but rather he will go for the Senatorial seat.
While illustrating that in the land of wildlife, an old Buffalo is always left lone and a times cannot be given food, Gikaria stated that he does not want to be that Old Buffalo, hence he will be leaving the Nakuru Town East Parliamentary seat for young generation whom.he urged to take up leadership positions come 2027 from MCA to MPs positions.
“I don’t want to be that old lone Buffalo and that is why I have made up my mind to go for Senate. We have young people who have showed up to contest for the Nakuru Town East Parliamentary seat and that is why we want also to help them occupy these seats,” he stated.
He used the moment to challenge all leaders including MCAs in Nakuru to ensure that they have the people’s interests, and respect the government of the day for the sake of the people.
On Ward boundary delimitation for some of our Ward’s necessary e.g Biashara, Nakuru East, he said it is key to ensure resources for the people and urged residents to come out in large numbers during auch particular time.
Gikaria who served as Councilor, Mayor before becoming MP, also appealed for peaceful co-existence ahead of 2027 elections.
“As Kenyans we respect the people in leadership. A time for elections will come and is when we shall be vetted based on our record,” he stated.
On the Public Participation exercise for the Constitution Amendment Bill No 4 of 2025 on NG-CDF, NGAAF and Senate Oversight Fund, Gikaria assured constituents that their views will be incorporated in the Bill.
Biashara Ward MCA who is also majority whip in the County Assembly of Nakuru Fadhili Msuri took an issue with civil society for blocking development through numerous petitions.
“I have been in the civil society before becoming MCA and we played key role in helping the people. But the current civil society is full of people who are overburdening the citizens by blocking funds that should help. To the petitioners against the funds, kindly be humane,” he stated.
MCA Fadhili noted that the county Currently, can’t give the bursary cheques because of the petitions in court.
He pointed out that NG-CDF in place helps MPs to deliver on their oversight role because nothing can hinder development.
Fadhili used the moment to rally for MCAs to also have Ward Development Fund so as to enable them deliver and also play their oversight role.
Sentiments echoed by Nakuru East Ward MCA Anthony Kamau GERU called for the need to have Ward Fund to boost MCAs who are on ground always.
On NG-CDF, the MCA stated that it is so unfortunate that only projects by NG-CDF are seen, hence when Ward Fund will be in place, then there shall be equality in service delivery.
The event was also attended by clerks from the National Assembly, administrators led by Assistant County Commissioner and residents.
Majority of residents who attended lauded the role played by NG-CDF in transformation of society through education and other development projects.
Led by Miriam Ngima from Bondeni estate, slammed those calling for the disbandment of NG-CDF or consolidation of the same.
According to her NG-CDF and NGAAF bursary has seen many in society benefit.
On Senate Oversight Fund proposed in the Bill, she called for more sensitization.
“Let oversight be done but not be politicized by some individuals who have other agenda,” she said.
Activist James Mbugua(PLWD) noted that Education is a universal right that should be enjoyed by all citizens.
On his part, bursary should be consolidated to National Government to enable free education for all.
However, he stated that Development Fund should remain with MPs.
On his part Hamza Ramadhan from Community Policing Bondeni Police station, supported NG-CDF to be entrenched in Constitution to enable more development in society.
Pastor Belly Otieno was of opinion that there is need for a fund established under national legislation to be in place to continue service to the people.
On his part Maurice Otieno from Baharini Community Forum noted that NG-CDF has manifested through development and therefore the allocation should be increased.
“We need to have a structure in place to ensure increase and impact of NG-CDF as per the population,” he said.
On Senate Oversight Fund, Maurice stated that National Assembly should ensure the fund is in place but also push for Ward Fund so that MCAs can also work properly.
Public litigator Laban Omusundi expressed worries that allowing Oversight Fund calls for an need to ensure that MCAs also have the same.
He added that failure to do so then, MCAs can move to court and challenge the same citing discrimination.
MPs have until Wednesday May 7 to complete the public participation on the Constitutional Amendment Bill No 4 of 2025 on NG-CDF, NGAAF and Senate Oversight Fund.
The Bill seeks to entrench the funds in the constitution of Kenya providing a legal framework on the same.
