President William Ruto has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) and governors to allow the national government to manage the road maintenance levy, saying this would lead to better utilisation of the funds.

Speaking after Easter Sunday service in Ntulele, Narok County, on Sunday, April 20, 2025, Ruto acknowledged the ongoing disagreement between counties and legislators over the allocation of road funds.

He urged the leaders to leave the levy under the control of the national government, which, he believes, can more efficiently plan and allocate the resources.

“Mimi ningeomba hawa wahesimiwa wakiwa hapa; najua kuna mvutano ya pesa kati ya counties na wabunge ile pesa ya barabara, na hiyo pesa ya barabara mnayo pigania mukiniwachia, naweza kupanga pesa nyingi ya kutengeneza hizi barabara zote,” he stated.

He explained that the current allocation often results in insufficient funds for road construction, as the money is quickly used up on short-term projects, stressing that this approach fails to provide long-term benefits for the country.

“Kwa sababu hizo pesa mnachukua na mnaenda kutengeneza barabara ya maram kidogo inanyesha inaisha yote,” he added.

Ruto emphasised that by allowing the national government to handle the roads levy, a more strategic plan could be put in place.

“Nawaomba waheshimiwa mkubali na siyo kwa lazima nasema naomba mkubali tunaweza kupanga hiyo pesa ikaweza kutumika kwa njia nzuri ambayo itawafaidi Wakenya zaidi ya vile inatumika kwa sasa,” he added.

Ichung’wah on road levy

Kikuyu Constituency MP Kimani Ichung’wah, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, dismissed claims that the National Assembly was withholding Ksh10 billion meant for road maintenance, clarifying that the money was tied up due to a case involving the Council of Governors (COG).

Speaking during a National Assembly session on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Ichung’wah explained that these funds, if released, would assist Kenya’s road authorities in rehabilitating infrastructure.

The National Assembly Majority Leader also refuted allegations that MPs manage road funds, explaining that the money is allocated to the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA) and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), which oversee road construction and maintenance.

He emphasised the need for better collaboration between national and county governments to ensure that road projects are well-funded and properly executed for the benefit of all Kenyans.

“I know a few governors would lie and say that the National Assembly is holding Ksh10 billion for road maintenance; this is completely false. It is the Council of Governors, through the case that is bound to be determined, that has held close to Ksh10 billion that should be helping the Kenya Roads Authorities to rehabilitate roads. KERA assists those governors in maintaining some of the roads, which may be a burden for those governors,” he said.

“Another narrative they are attempting to drive is, again, that these funds go to MPs; again, that is far from the truth. MPS do not manage these funds; they go to the regional offices of KERRA and KURA. And it’s KERRA and KURA who superintend over the construction and maintenance of roads in our constituencies.”