Governors and Members of Parliament (MPs) are embroiled in a heated conflict over the management of the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF). The dispute prompted President William Ruto to propose that lawmakers and county leaders allow the national government to take charge of administering the fund. In a related move, Moses Kuria, an economic adviser to the president, suggested a radical restructuring of how roads funding and management are handled across the country.
Kuria advised that the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) should be disbanded. He proposed that only the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) should continue operating at the national level. In his view, KeNHA should exclusively manage the national government’s road development budget, consolidating all road funding efforts focused on major highways.
According to Kuria, dismantling KURA and KeRRA would help resolve the persistent tensions between the national and county governments over control of road maintenance funds. The two agencies have traditionally managed large portions of the RMLF, a situation that has fueled disputes about jurisdiction and allocation.
To replace KURA and KeRRA, Kuria recommended the establishment of new county roads authorities across all 47 devolved units. These county-level authorities would be tasked with overseeing the construction, maintenance, and management of roads within their respective jurisdictions. The Kenya Roads Board, under Kuria’s proposal, would continue to collect the RMLF and distribute the funds directly to the county roads authorities. Allocation would be based on the revenue sharing formula developed by the Commission for Revenue Allocation (CRA).
Kuria argued that any funds appropriated for road development by county assemblies should be managed solely by the newly created county roads authorities. By placing full control in the hands of local governments, counties would have the autonomy to plan and implement road projects that better meet their specific needs.
In addition, Kuria encouraged counties to explore alternative financing mechanisms to supplement the RMLF and other budgetary allocations. He suggested that counties could issue bonds or take loans to raise additional capital from investors. With access to more substantial financial resources, county governments would be in a stronger position to construct and maintain road networks that are more extensive and of higher quality.
Meanwhile, President Ruto has continued to push for centralised management of the RMLF, arguing that county governments have not effectively utilised the funds. Speaking at a recent event, he criticised the construction of substandard roads at the county level and expressed confidence that his administration could deliver superior results if given control over the levy.
The president’s proposal has, however, met stiff resistance from some governors. Kisumu governor Anyang’ Nyong’o voiced strong opposition, warning that allowing the national government to control the RMLF would roll back gains made through devolution. He stressed that local governance structures were designed to bring services closer to the people and that centralisation would undermine the spirit and goals of devolution.
The dispute over the RMLF comes against the backdrop of a recent increase in the levy. In July 2024, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) raised the RMLF from KSh 18 to KSh 25 per litre, despite significant public opposition. The increase means that Kenyans are now paying KSh 7 more per litre to fund road maintenance and development initiatives.
As tensions escalate, the debate highlights the broader struggle over the balance of power between the national and county governments. While the national government argues for efficiency and quality assurance in managing infrastructure projects, counties are pushing back, defending the autonomy that devolution was designed to secure.
The proposed disbandment of KURA and KeRRA, and the creation of county roads authorities, could mark a major shift in how infrastructure is managed in Kenya. If implemented, the changes could empower county governments with greater financial and administrative control over local road networks, aligning decision-making closer to the communities they serve.
However, the move also raises critical questions about the counties’ readiness to handle increased responsibilities, their financial management capabilities, and the potential for disparities in road quality across different regions.
Ultimately, the ongoing discussions around the RMLF and road management reform reflect broader concerns about governance, accountability, and development priorities in Kenya’s evolving political landscape. As the debate continues, both national and county leaders face mounting pressure to find a resolution that balances efficiency, fairness, and the principles of devolution.
