President William Ruto has reiterated that the national government is best suited to oversee the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), arguing that centralized management would lead to better planning, efficient resource use, and improved road infrastructure across the country.
While attending an Easter Sunday service in Ntulele, Narok County, the President emphasized that giving the national government control over the fund would help eliminate inefficiencies caused by overlapping mandates between county and national authorities.
“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 support the proposal, saying the national government has the capacity and resources to deliver long-term infrastructure solutions that would benefit all regions.
This comes amid a prolonged standoff between the Council of Governors (CoG) and Members of Parliament over who should control the Sh10.5 billion fund. County leaders have insisted that devolved units are directly involved in road construction and deserve a fair share of the funds, which are sourced from a fuel levy paid by all Kenyans.
Tensions had peaked last month when governors refused to withdraw a court case against MPs, risking delays in donor-funded road projects.
However, signs of progress emerged recently when Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa told Parliament’s Budget and Appropriations Committee that they were willing to consider dropping the case to facilitate dialogue and a potential resolution.
