President William Ruto has affirmed that the national government is best positioned to manage the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), ensuring effective allocation and utilization of resources for infrastructure development.
Speaking on Sunday while attending Easter Sunday church service at Ntulele in Narok County, the President said the move would lead to more efficient management of road maintenance funds, resulting in improved infrastructure and enhanced connectivity across the country.
The Head of State observed that overlapping responsibilities between the national and county governments in road infrastructure development had often caused delays and inefficiencies.
“I would like to ask these honorable 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 organize 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.”
He urged leaders to allow the funds to be allocated to the national government, emphasizing its greater capacity and resources for effective management and planning.
This, he assured, would guarantee sustainable infrastructure development and long-term results.
The Council of Governors (CoG) and lawmakers have been locked in a protracted dispute over control of the RMLF.
Tensions escalated last month after county chiefs refused to withdraw a court case against MPs concerning the management of the Sh10.5 billion fund, potentially jeopardizing donor-funded projects.
Governors have argued that counties are equally entitled to the RMLF, noting they are directly involved in road construction and that the fund originates from a shared fuel levy.
However, the standoff showed signs of easing recently after Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa told MPs on the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC) that they would be open to withdrawing the case if it would help resolve the impasse.
