PASSARIS WELCOMES REVENUE BILL, CALLS FOR BOOST TO NGAAF FUNDING

Nairobi Woman Representative Hon. Esther M. Passaris, OGW has welcomed the assent by President William Samoei Ruto to the Division of Revenue Bill, 2026, saying the increased allocation to county governments marks a significant step in strengthening devolution and improving service delivery across the country.

In a statement, Passaris said the enhanced revenue sharing framework reinforces the constitutional principles of devolution by empowering county governments to better respond to local development priorities and citizens’ needs.

However, the Nairobi Woman Representative also called for strengthened funding of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), noting that it remains a critical vehicle for supporting women, youth, persons with disabilities, the elderly and other vulnerable groups.

She observed that while county governments have access to multiple revenue streams, Women Representatives continue to rely heavily on NGAAF to implement targeted community interventions, yet the allocations remain insufficient compared to the growing needs on the ground.

“As an affirmative action seat created to bridge representation and development gaps, the Office of the Woman Representative must be adequately resourced to deliver meaningful impact,” she said, adding that increased funding would enhance the reach and effectiveness of grassroots programmes.

Passaris further noted that strengthening NGAAF would complement devolution by ensuring that marginalized groups are not left behind in the national development agenda, especially in urban informal settlements and vulnerable communities.

The legislator has in the past emphasized the importance of efficient use of NGAAF resources in supporting women’s empowerment initiatives, youth enterprises, education support, and social protection programmes across Nairobi County.

She reiterated her commitment to working with stakeholders to strengthen inclusive development and ensure equitable access to resources for all vulnerable populations.