Counties grapple with gaps despite Ksh3.7 billion roads levy allocation

The disbursement of Ksh3.7 billion from the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) has exposed glaring disparities between what counties requested and what they actually received, even after Parliament and the Roads Ministry struck a deal to end months of stalemate.

Nakuru received the highest allocation at Ksh183.4 million, followed by Nairobi at Ksh120.1 million and Machakos at Ksh111.1 million. At the bottom of the list, Nyamira got Ksh41.4 million, Mombasa Ksh45.6 million and Trans Nzoia Ksh52.8 million.

Murang’a, which had sought Ksh270.9 million, was allocated only Ksh94.7 million, while Nakuru was left with a Sh344 million gap after requesting Ksh527.6 million. In contrast, Nyeri was the only county to receive more than requested, Ksh100.3 million against a proposal of Ksh80.7 million.

Twenty-eight counties missed out entirely, having failed to submit road project plans to the Kenya Roads Board for approval.

Roads and Transport CS Davis Chirchir, tabling the report before the National Assembly’s Budget Committee, noted that discussions with MPs and the Attorney General shaped the allocations. He further cautioned that the levy’s sustainability was under threat, with the rise of electric vehicles reducing fuel revenues, and hinted at a possible fuel levy adjustment in the future.

A bill sponsored by Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, which seeks to dedicate five per cent of the levy to counties, is still pending in Parliament.