Nairobi: Residents of Ngong, Olkeri, and Oloolua wards have identified education, security, environmental conservation, and administrative infrastructure as priority areas for funding under the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF) during a public participation forum held at Ngong Social Hall.
According to Kenya News Agency, the meeting marked the final phase of Kajiado North Constituency’s public participation exercise after an earlier forum at Rongai Social Hall brought together residents from Rongai and Nkaimurunya wards to submit their development priorities. Participants proposed the construction of additional classrooms and science laboratories in public schools, expansion of security infrastructure, environmental conservation programs, and administrative facilities to improve service delivery.
Addressing residents, Kajiado North Member of Parliament, Onesmus Ngongoyo, said community participation had played a key role in the successful implementation of NGCDF projects since he assumed office in 2022. He attributed the success of the projects to active involvement by project management committees comprising teachers, chiefs, government representatives, and local residents, who have helped oversee implementation and ensure accountability.
The Legislator also welcomed the recent Court of Appeal ruling affirming the constitutionality of the NGCDF Act, saying the decision had provided certainty for the continued implementation of grassroots development projects. School heads attending the forum appealed for more classrooms and laboratories, noting that increased enrolment following the implementation of the 100 per cent transition policy had overstretched existing learning facilities.
Ngongoyo noted that Kajiado North has one of the highest enrolments in public primary and secondary schools in the country, increasing the demand for expanded education infrastructure. Residents also proposed projects aimed at improving livelihoods and local infrastructure. Kerarapon Residents Association Secretary, Franco Nandabwa, called for the construction of a boda boda stage in Kerarapon, emphasizing the importance of public participation in identifying and prioritizing urgent development needs.
NGCDF Fund Account Manager, Keziah Mureithi, outlined the Constituency’s priority needs and explained that all proposals would be evaluated based on available resources, ongoing commitments, and the provisions of the NGCDF Act. She noted that the law requires Constituency committees to involve residents in identifying and prioritizing projects before funds are allocated, ensuring transparency and community ownership of development initiatives.
Residents expressed hope that the proposals would be included in the next funding cycle and called for regular progress meetings to monitor the implementation of ongoing projects, including the construction of assistant chiefs’ offices in Ngong. All proposals collected during the two public participation forums will be consolidated and reviewed before Kajiado North Constituency finalizes its priority project list for the next NGCDF allocation.
