Counties face huge gaps despite release of Sh3.7 billion roads levy funds
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir tabled the disbursement details before the National Assembly’s Budget Committee chaired by Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi.
The release of Sh3.7 billion from the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) has revealed stark disparities between what counties requested and what they actually received, even as Parliament and the Roads Ministry reached a compromise after months of wrangles.
Figures show Nakuru was given the highest allocation at Sh183.4 million, with Nairobi and Machakos receiving Sh120.1 million and Sh111.1 million respectively.
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At the bottom, Nyamira secured Sh41.4 million, Mombasa Sh45.6 million and Trans Nzoia Sh52.8 million.
Other notable allocations included Nyeri at Sh100 million, Murang’a Sh94 million, Uasin Gishu Sh86 million, Kilifi Sh85.8 million, Marsabit Sh83 million, Kakamega Sh81 million, Taita Taveta Sh78 million, Mandera and Garissa both at Sh63 million, Bungoma also at Sh63 million, Samburu Sh60 million and Tharaka Nithi Sh55 million.
Twenty-eight counties were left out of the allocation list entirely because they had not submitted their road work plans to the Kenya Roads Board for approval.
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir tabled the disbursement details before the National Assembly’s Budget Committee chaired by Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi.
He explained that the outcome was the result of discussions involving his ministry, the Office of the Attorney General and MPs.
The data showed that 19 counties had submitted road project plans worth Sh3.35 billion, nearly matching the full national allocation of Sh3.7 billion. Nakuru, for example, was awarded Sh183.4 million yet its proposal stood at Sh527.6 million, leaving a funding gap of Sh344 million.
Murang’a presented plans valued at Sh270.9 million but got only Sh94.7 million.
Only a few counties; among them Kakamega, Samburu and Nairobi had requests that closely aligned with their final allocations. Nyeri was the only county to receive more than what it applied for.
While it had sought Sh80.7 million, the ministry awarded it Sh100.3 million.
For months, counties were unable to access levy funds after the High Court declared unconstitutional the section of the Kenya Roads Board Act governing their allocation. Although the Court of Appeal suspended that judgment for 12 months to allow for amendments, no proper legal framework has yet been adopted.
A bill led by Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma is still pending in the National Assembly. It proposes that five per cent of levy collections be directed to counties.
Chirchir also raised concerns about the sustainability of the levy, saying its future is uncertain with the growth of electric vehicles.
He said the ministry is considering raising the fuel levy when the economy stabilises but is also exploring alternatives.
“Another strategy that is currently being investigated is the implementation of Mass Distance Charges, which are fees imposed on road users based on their usage of the roads,” Chirchir told the committee.
Records from the ministry show that Sh115 billion was collected into the levy kitty in the current financial year, with a similar amount expected in the next cycle.
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