The National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula Wednesday appointed the Departmental Committee on Social Protection to address pressing issues concerning the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NG-AAF), specifically the persistent delays in fund disbursement.
Wetangula emphasized that all matters related to NGAAF, including questions, grievances, and complaints, will now be under the purview of the Social Protection Committee.
“I hereby direct the Departmental Committee on Social Protection to handle all NGAAF-related matters moving forward.
This fund serves a crucial social purpose, and any issues pertaining to NGAAF should be directed to this Committee.”
“Any concerns or queries related to NGAAF should now be directed to this Committee,” he reiterated.
He instructed the Leader of the Majority Party Hon. Kimani Ichungwah (Kikuyu) to liaise with the Committee and inform the 47 NGAAF beneficiaries that henceforth, the Committee will be their primary point of contact.
This decision followed a plea from Kirinyaga County MP, Njeri Maina, who emphasized the necessity of establishing a dedicated committee to handle NG-AAF matters in a structured manner.
Welcoming the Speaker’s decision, Njeri said the directive to have NGAAF overseen by the Social Protection Committee will enable optimization and better articulation of issues plaguing the fund, including constant delays in disbursement.
However, Njeri expressed concern over the absence of a proper follow-up mechanism for NGAAF, unlike the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), which has a Select Committee dedicated to its oversight.
“While acknowledging the Deputy Speaker’s efforts in tracking NG-AAF matters, it is imperative to formally establish a committee dedicated to handling NG-AAF matters,” she urged.
The National Government Affirmative Action Fund was established with the primary goal of empowering women, youth, and persons with disabilities through financial support for various county-level projects and initiatives.
NG-AAF plays a vital role in enabling beneficiaries to initiate or expand their businesses, ultimately improving their socio-economic well-being.
However, NG-AAF has faced financial constraints that have hindered its ability to effectively implement its programs and reach its intended beneficiaries.
This has led to concerns and frustrations among those eagerly awaiting these funds.
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