Senators, governors fight MPs over Sh10.5 billion roads fund
Senators have sided with governors in rejecting MPs’ push to manage the fund, insisting that the money should remain under county governments.
Senators and governors are locked in a contentious battle over control of the Sh10.5 billion Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), with tensions escalating in recent legislative discussions.
Senators have sided with governors in rejecting MPs’ push to manage the fund, insisting that the money should remain under county governments.
More To Read
The Senate Finance Committee has vowed not to support the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, 2025, unless the RMLF is included.
During a meeting with the Council of Governors, Committee Chairperson Ali Roba accused MPs of overstepping their role.
“Members of the National Assembly, whose role is legislative, want to turn themselves into contractors. If this happens, then the Senate will be rendered irrelevant,” he said.
He warned that senators would block any move by MPs to control the fund. “If their position is that they want to control the money, then it will not happen under the watch of the Senate,” Roba added.
The Senator also dismissed attempts by the National Assembly to take charge of the levy. “Anyone thinking they can control the RMLF is overestimating themselves,” Roba said.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale echoed the sentiments, alleging that MPs’ interest in the fund was driven by corruption.
“The funds should remain under governors’ management,” he said.
Council of Governors Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi maintained that the matter is in court and expressed confidence that the ruling would favour counties.
“We leave it to the court; we believe the facts are on our side,” he stated.
However, MPs have vowed not to cede control. Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah defended their position, arguing that they were protecting the funds from mismanagement by county governments.
“As a House, we will process the additional county revenue Bill without RMLF. And let me make it clear: it will not pass on the floor of this House,” Ichung’wah said.
MPs have insisted that the levy will only be included in the Bill if governors withdraw their court case. With both sides unwilling to compromise, the standoff over the multibillion-dollar fund remains unresolved.
Top Stories Today
