Choose Your MCA and MP Wisely in 2027

Article by Micah Mukhwana Sikuku

Kenya's 2027 election will attract enormous attention to the presidency and governorships. Yet millions of voters will also be choosing the people who sit closest to their daily problems: Members of Parliament and Members of County Assembly. Any bad choice at these levels can mean five years of poor representation, weak oversight and stalled development. For example, in Nairobi, Governor Johnson Sakaja's administration has faced criticism over stalled county projects including the KSh242 million Mutuini Market in Dagoretti South, where KSh69.5 million had been paid but construction stalled. This is reason enough why Wanjikus must choose their MCA and MP wisely in 2027 to not only lobby for development funds but also oversight and utilise it well.

The Constitution of Kenya 2010 gives the National Assembly an important role. Article 95 states that MPs represent the people of constituencies, legislate, deliberate on issues affecting Wanjikus, appropriate national funds and exercise oversight over national revenue and expenditure. National expenditure covers money spent by the national government and other national State organs which includes ministries such as Health, Education, Roads and Defence, as well as Parliament and the Judiciary. Under Article 95(4)(b), MPs approve these expenditures, while Article 95(4)(c) gives them oversight over how public money is spent.

MCAs are equally important. Under Article 185, county assemblies make laws necessary for county functions and exercise oversight over county executive organs. They therefore influence how county resources are planned, budgeted and monitored. Article 196 also requires county assemblies to conduct their business openly by holding Assembly and committee sittings in public and facilitating public participation by inviting residents to give views on proposed laws and budgets. For example, the Tharaka Nithi County Assembly held public hearings where residents submitted views on the 2025/26 budget. This is required under Article 196 of the Constitution.

MPs Do Not Personally Manage CDF Money

It is important to note that MPs do not personally own or manage NG-CDF money. The National Government Constituencies Development Fund Act establishes a Board and constituency committees to administer the Fund. The MP is an ex-officio member of the constituency committee, while projects are implemented through project management structures. It is unique in that MPs influence representation, legislation and oversight of the funds and at the same time constituency development projects are implemented through legally established project management structures. A capable MP can therefore help ensure that public priorities like education, healthcare and manufacturing are identified, funded and properly monitored.

Nevertheless, Wanjikus should take an MP's record on constituency development seriously. NG-CDF has financed thousands of schools and other grassroots projects. The Fund reports that 3,087 schools had been established through its support by June 2023. NG-CDF has done more like between 2017 and 2022 it financed 24,020 classrooms, 1,156 dormitories and 1,397 laboratories, while about six million students benefited from bursaries.

In Kiharu constituency under MP Ndindi Nyoro, NG-CDF has funded 85 school construction and renovation projects, while all 112 public primary schools have benefited from NG-CDF projects. The constituency has also used a labour-based model that involved local workers. Instead of relying entirely on contractors, Kiharu's labour-based approach involved hiring local residents to work on school construction and renovation projects. More than 50 MPs reportedly visited Kiharu to learn from its approach.

The National Assembly's own 2026 report also found completed and usable projects in constituencies including Kiharu, Kipipiri, Kieni, Ugenya and South Mugirango. This does not mean everything is perfect in these constituencies. It demonstrates, however, that constituency resources can produce tangible results when planning, implementing and monitoring work like in Kiharu, Kipipiri, Kieni, Ugenya and South Mugirango constituencies where constituency funds were used effectively.

This also applies to MCAs. A serious MCA should not simply attend plenary sessions and collect allowances like committee sitting allowance. The MCA should understand the ward's priorities like roads, education and healthcare needs, participate meaningfully in budgeting, question poor expenditure, monitor projects and demand answers from the county executive.

Nairobi's 2026/27 budget includes about KSh2.255 billion for its Ward Development Programme, alongside major allocations for roads, drainage and street lighting. Nairobi's Assembly also has a specific committee responsible for overseeing the Ward Development Fund. It not only oversees but also implements and ensures delivery of ward development projects.

That is why Wanjikus should ask their area MCA these simple questions: what has my MCA done to ensure that money allocated for my ward produces value? Which ward projects has the MCA prioritised? How much money was allocated, and how much has actually been spent? Has the MCA questioned delays or poor workmanship? Has the MCA involved residents in deciding ward priorities? Has the MCA regularly reported back to Wanjikus on the use of public resources? And most importantly, can the MCA show evidence of results rather than just promises?

When Leaders Let People Down

In Nairobi County, the Auditor General reported stalled county projects worth KSh2.46 billion for the year ended June 2024. Nationally, the report listed stalled projects worth billions in counties including Kakamega, Nairobi, Trans Nzoia, Nyandarua and Machakos. This is a reminder that voters must scrutinise both county executives and MCAs, because effective oversight should question delays, poor implementation and waste of public resources. Kakamega had eight stalled projects worth KSh8.15 billion, while Machakos had 54 stalled projects worth KSh314 million. The question for Wanjikus is simple: are our elected leaders demanding results or simply watching public money sit in unfinished projects?

In Homa Bay County, in June 2026, eight MCAs publicly raised concerns over approximately KSh1 billion in ward projects which they claimed had not been implemented during the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years. This raises a fundamental question about representation: if money is allocated for roads, water, health or other ward priorities but projects do not materialise, who is demanding answers? And this is why Wanjikus should elect MCAs who will not only identify projects but also monitor implementation and hold the county executive accountable!

Even within county assemblies themselves, accountability matters. The Auditor General recently reported five stalled ward office projects in Isiolo County, with KSh19.39 million already paid but value for money not confirmed. Even an earlier audit found delayed projects worth KSh3.49 billion across 15 county assemblies, including Homa Bay at KSh446.6 million, Bomet at KSh635.7 million and Trans Nzoia at KSh372.7 million. These figures show why Wanjikus must elect MCAs who actively scrutinise budgets, monitor projects and demand accountability for every shilling allocated!

This is why Wanjikus should stop electing leaders because they are generous during campaigns like giving them KSh200, or because they are loud at rallies or they are connected to powerful politicians. The EACC says it has opened 67 investigations involving alleged corruption in NG-CDF, including a case involving 49 tenders worth KSh66 million. At the same time, Parliament's Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee continues to scrutinise constituency fund accounts and projects. The real question should therefore be: what can this leader deliver, legislate, oversee and account for? Wanjikus should realise that and recognise that these are public offices and not private offices and must be open and accountable to the people who elected them.

A good MCA should understand the Constitution, county laws like the County Governments Act, 2012, which covers the structure, functions and operations of county governments, including citizen participation, county assemblies, decentralisation and public administration. A good MP should understand legislation, oversight and constituency development. Both should communicate with residents, publish progress and allow citizens to question their performance. For example, county assemblies must consider public views when approving budgets, while MCAs can summon officials and demand documents to scrutinise public spending. Courts have also stressed that public participation must be meaningful and not a mere formality. This is the kind of leadership Wanjikus should demand in 2027 and even beyond 2027: leaders who can explain where public money goes and challenge failures rather than simply defend the government of the day!

In 2027, Wanjikus should judge candidates by their record, not personality or popularity. Ask about completed and stalled projects, legislation, oversight, bursaries, roads, healthcare, education, jobs, markets and how public money has been used. The President position matters, the Governor position matters, but the MCA position and MP position on your ballot matter too because they represent you, make laws and hold government accountable. Wanjikus should vote wisely!

About the Author

Micah Mukhwana Sikuku is a Paralegal, a Civic Educator and aspiring MCA for Clay City Ward, Kasarani Constituency in 2027.