MANDERA—In a scathing letter to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) CEO, Nurdin Maalim Mohamed, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate for the upcoming Banisa Constituency by-election, has accused local officials of hijacking public funds to fuel partisan campaigns. The by-election, slated for November 27, 2025, follows the death of the incumbent MP, intensifying political tensions in the arid North Eastern region.
Mohamed’s complaint, dated October 10, 2025, paints a picture of “alleged misuse or planned misuse” of NG-CDF kitty under the guise of development projects. He alleges that individuals linked to a rival political faction are fast-tracking initiatives in Banisa to score electoral points, branding them as “personal initiatives” despite drawing from taxpayer-funded resources. “It has come to the attention of several residents, including myself, that these projects are being publicly branded as personal initiatives of the said political individuals,” Mohamed wrote, urging an immediate halt to such “weaponization” of public money.
At the heart of the grievance are the actions of the constituency’s CDF chairman and secretary, whom Mohamed claims have “expressed intentions to withdraw funds from the Account to facilitate activities related to the upcoming by-election.” He highlights four key red flags: a glaring lack of public participation in project launches, the misrepresentation of CDF-backed efforts as private donations from politicians, selective fund withdrawals favoring politically aligned areas, and the diversion of resources from essential long-term development to flashy, short-term voter bait.
“This is not development; it’s electoral manipulation,” Mohamed asserted in his letter, emphasizing that NG-CDF must serve all constituents impartially. He called on the CEO to suspend current and pending project approvals, enforce transparent disbursements, and issue a public clarification distinguishing official funds from campaign stunts. Failure to act, he warned, would prompt escalation to the NG-CDF Board, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and other watchdogs.
The controversy erupts amid heightened scrutiny of devolved funds in Kenya’s by-elections, where poverty and underdevelopment in Banisa—home to nomadic pastoralists grappling with drought and insecurity—make every shilling count. Political analysts say such allegations, if substantiated, could erode trust in the NG-CDF framework, established to empower grassroots projects but often mired in graft claims.
NG-CDF officials were yet to respond to requests for comment by press time. Mohamed, a local businessman and community advocate, positions himself as a clean-slate alternative in a field dominated by established clans. His letter underscores a broader battle for Banisa’s soul: will public coffers remain tools for progress, or pawns in power plays?
As the campaign heats up, residents like Fatuma Ibrahim, a mother of five in Banisa town, echo Mohamed’s fears. “We need boreholes and schools, not billboards for votes,” she told reporters. With just six weeks to polling day, the CEO’s reply could tip the scales—or ignite a national debate on electoral integrity.
