Governors, MPs clash intensifies over Road Levy Fund in fresh devolution, oversight disputes

A political showdown is in the making after Members of Parliament rejected governors’ push for a bigger share of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), deepening the long-running tussle over road infrastructure financing.

The National Assembly’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee has backed a 5% allocation to counties, dismissing the Council of Governors’ (CoG) call for a minimum of 15%. Committee chair George Kariuki (Ndia MP) tabled the committee’s report on the Kenya Roads (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill, 2025, setting the stage for fiery parliamentary debates and potential court battles.

Governors argue that counties manage more than 81% of Kenya’s road network about 121,000 kilometres and that 5% is inadequate to maintain such infrastructure. They insist the proposed allocation goes against constitutional principles of equitable sharing of resources.

The Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) supported the CoG, warning that the reduced funding risks leaving county roads in disrepair. IEK proposed at least 9%, noting that “county roads form more than 121,000km out of 161,000km nationally.”

But MPs maintained that 5% is sufficient if counties demonstrate fiscal discipline. The committee further insisted that the Kenya Roads Board (KRB) must continue exercising oversight, a move governors say undermines devolution and county autonomy.

The Bill has also triggered fresh controversy over road classification, giving the Transport Cabinet Secretary powers to classify and reclassify all public roads. Governors want the function shared with counties, warning that centralizing the role contradicts Article 186 of the Constitution.

The growing rift underscores the fragile balance between national and county governments in managing devolved functions and resources, with roads once again emerging as a flashpoint.