MPs slam road agencies over billions spent on poorly maintained roads
MPs slammed KURA for weak oversight of contractors and called for stricter accountability measures to ensure roads are properly maintained.
Despite billions spent on road maintenance, many roads across the country continue to deteriorate and fail to meet safety standards, Members of Parliament have said, demanding urgent action to address poor workmanship and stalled projects.
In a session on Thursday, the National Assembly Special Funds Accounts Committee slammed the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) for weak oversight of contractors and called for stricter accountability measures to ensure roads are properly maintained.
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The committee, chaired by Migori MP Fatuma Zainab, raised sharp concerns over the quality, supervision and maintenance of roads across the country, questioning why some roads deteriorate quickly despite allocated funds for maintenance.
Teso South MP Mary Emaase criticised poor supervision of contractors, noting instances where drainage waste is left on roads after cleaning.
“It’s costing the country more to repair roads we could easily maintain,” she said, urging better accountability in project execution.
Busia MP Catherine Omanyo highlighted the inconsistency in road quality across regions.
“We must ensure fairness and professionalism in the award and completion of road projects,” she said, calling for strict vetting of contractors and blacklisting of those known for substandard work.
Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna stressed the need for equity in project distribution across counties and encouraged contractors to adopt international best practices.
Responding to Members’ concerns, KURA Director General Silas Kinoti attributed stalled projects to funding gaps, noting that the Ministry has since resolved to prioritise ongoing projects before initiating new ones.
Zainab reiterated the Committee’s commitment to safeguarding public funds and ensuring Kenyans receive value for money.
She called for sustainable maintenance practices, including replanting trees during road works and stressed that proper road upkeep is essential for preventing accidents and improving road safety.
The concerns come as the National Assembly passed the Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at strengthening devolution and ensuring more equitable road funding.
The legislation amends the Kenya Roads Board Act to allocate a share of road maintenance funds to county governments for the first time. Under the new framework, funds are distributed among national highways, urban and rural roads, county governments and relevant authorities to ensure maintenance, rehabilitation and development are carried out fairly.
The Bill also classifies public roads into national trunk roads and county roads, aligning the system with devolved governance and promoting accountability in road infrastructure management.
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