Ruto regime returning Kenya back to Nyayo-era - Governor Nyong’o
Nyong'o said the ongoing spat between county governments and the national administration over the management of road funds reflects a calculated effort to undermine the 2010 Constitution.
Kisumu Governor Anyang'’ Nyong’o has accused President William Ruto’s administration of plotting to reverse devolution and return the country to an era of centralised governance, likening the current situation to the Nyayo era.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Kisumu Governor said the ongoing spat between county governments and the national administration over the management of road funds reflects a calculated effort to undermine the 2010 Constitution.
“The truth is that the Ruto regime has decided to go back to pre-devolution times of the Nyayo era. The 2010 Constitution is a hindrance to its primitive accumulation schemes, which will affect not only devolution but the very ethos of building a national democratic and developmental state,” Nyong’o said.
He added that if the national government were committed to fully implementing devolution, there would be no need for agencies like the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).
“The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) need not exist if the national government is prepared to fully implement devolution,” he said.
Nyong’o argued that counties have already demonstrated the capacity to manage vital functions such as health, unlike the national government, which, he claimed, is struggling with its few remaining responsibilities.
“The counties manage health effectively and efficiently. The national government cannot even manage Kenyatta National Hospital—one of the very few health entities in its hands,” he said.
The Kisumu governor called on the Council of Governors (CoG) and other progressive leaders to push back against any attempt to claw back devolution.
“The Council of Governors and all progressive forces in our Republic need to be aware of this fact and to resist it by all means necessary. The achievements of the Second Liberation must not be destroyed by this regime,” he said.
Roads fund standoff
His remarks come as the national and county governments remain embroiled in a fierce standoff over the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF).
On Sunday, President Ruto defended the national government’s handling of the fund, arguing that it is better placed to oversee infrastructure development and ensure the efficient use of resources.
“I would like to ask these honourable members here—I am aware there is an ongoing tussle between county governments and Parliament, especially on the road maintenance funds,” Ruto said.
“And if you leave the funds to me, I will be able to organise plans to fund all these road projects. Because with that money, you take it and build a small murram road from here to there, and after one day of rain, it’s all washed away.”
The President said that centralising the RMLF would avoid duplication of roles and lead to better planning, sustainable infrastructure and improved connectivity.
However, county leaders have pushed back, saying they have a constitutional right to access and manage the fund. The CoG has maintained that counties are directly involved in road maintenance and should therefore receive a share of the RMLF, which is raised from a fuel levy shared by all Kenyans.
Tensions over the fund intensified last month after governors refused to withdraw a court case challenging MPs over control of the Sh10.5 billion fund, sparking concerns that key donor-funded projects may be delayed.
Despite the tension, there are signs of a possible breakthrough. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa recently told the Budget and Appropriations Committee that they would consider dropping the legal suit to facilitate dialogue and resolution.
Currently, the RMLF, set at Sh25 per litre of petrol and diesel, is collected by the Kenya Roads Board and allocated primarily to national agencies.
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