Power Struggle Rocks Government Over CDF Board Recruitment

A fresh wrangle has emerged within government over the recruitment of members to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Board, exposing divisions among senior officials over the handling of appointments to the influential body.

The dispute reportedly pits Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi against powerful figures linked to State House, with both sides said to hold differing views on how the recruitment exercise should be conducted.

At the heart of the disagreement are concerns over the integrity and transparency of the appointment process. Questions have reportedly been raised regarding whether due procedure is being followed and whether there are attempts to influence the final list of nominees.

The CDF Board plays a significant role in overseeing constituency-based development projects and managing the disbursement of billions of shillings meant for grassroots initiatives. As a result, appointments to the board are considered politically and administratively critical.

Sources familiar with the matter indicate that friction intensified after disagreements surfaced over shortlisted candidates, with concerns being raised about fairness, regional representation and professional qualifications in the selection process.

The unfolding dispute has renewed scrutiny on political influence in public appointments, particularly in institutions tasked with handling public resources. Governance experts argue that maintaining transparency in such recruitments is key to preserving public trust and ensuring accountability in project implementation.

The disagreement also highlights growing internal pressure within government as leaders seek to shape influence around strategic institutions. Political observers believe the contest over appointments could reflect wider political interests as alignments continue to shift.