Gichugu MP Gichimu Githinji has fired a salvo at critics and fellow lawmakers who compare the performance of Constituencies Development Funds (NG-CDF) across the country, terming such comparisons "intellectually lazy" and ignorant of local realities.

Speaking at Githage Primary School in Kirinyaga while commissioning a new tuition block, the legislator argued that the "cookie-cutter" approach to evaluating MPs is flawed. His outbursts come amidst a heated national debate on whether the NG-CDF should be scrapped or entrenched in the Constitution, with civil society groups publishing "scorecards" that rank MPs based on infrastructure projects.

The Context of Development

"You cannot compare Gichugu with a constituency in Nairobi," Githinji asserted. "Here, I am dealing with coffee factories, tea roads, and deep-seated historical neglect of rural schools. In the city, they are buying buses. Our needs are different, our terrain is different, and our priorities are different."

The MP’s defense highlights the disparity in the NG-CDF model. While every constituency receives a flat rate (approx. KES 137 million), the purchasing power and infrastructure gaps vary wildly. A classroom in rocky, hilly Gichugu costs significantly more to build than one on the flat plains of Ruiru.

• The Bursary Burden: Githinji revealed that over 60% of his fund goes to bursaries because of the high poverty levels in the coffee belt. "If I build a palace of a school but the children are at home because of fees, I have failed," he argued.
• Legislative Threat: The MP warned that the constant attacks on NG-CDF by the judiciary and activists are a threat to the only fund that actually reaches the "Wanjiku." He urged lawmakers to unite and protect the fund rather than outshining each other for media clout.
• Impact over Aesthetics: "Do not judge me by the paint on the wall," he told the gathering. "Judge me by the grades of the children inside those walls."

The Accountability Question

While Githinji’s points on contextual development are valid, critics note that the NG-CDF remains a slush fund for patronage in many areas. The disparities in audit reports suggest that it is not just about terrain, but about integrity. However, for the parents of Githage Primary, who now have a roof over their heads, the constitutional niceties matter less than the tangible results. The MP’s message is clear: let every leader water their own garden.