The Kenya Roads Board (KRB) has allocated Sh3.7 billion to all 47 counties to support the repair and maintenance of roads and bridges in the 2024/2025 financial year.

In a notice issued on Tuesday, July 22, KRB announced that the funds were drawn from the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), which is sustained through a Sh18-per-litre levy on petrol and diesel. The fund is designed to facilitate the upkeep of the country’s road infrastructure.

“For the financial year 2024/2025, the Board disbursed Sh3,682,774,150.00 from the Road Maintenance Levy Fund to counties for maintenance of public roads,” the statement read.

Counties with the highest allocations include Nakuru, which received Sh183 million, followed by Kitui (Sh152 million) and Nairobi (Sh120 million). Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado also secured significant funding, each receiving between Ksh100 million and Ksh120 million.

On the lower end, Vihiga was allocated Ksh37.5 million the smallest share followed by Nyamira (Ksh41.4 million), Busia (Sh45.5 million), Mombasa (Sh45.6 million), and Kisii (Sh60.7 million).

Counties with mid-tier allocations include Kilifi (Sh85.8 million), Uasin Gishu (Sh86.2 million), Turkana (Sh88.1 million), and Wajir (Sh90.5 million). Others such as Garissa, Marsabit, Laikipia, Kakamega, and Tharaka Nithi received between Sh60 million and Sh83 million.

To ensure proper utilization of the funds, KRB has directed counties to submit comprehensive work plans before implementation.

“All counties must present detailed road maintenance plans to their respective KRB Regional Offices by Tuesday, August 12, 2025,” the board directed.

This funding release comes at a time when public concern is mounting over the high cost of fuel and the accountability of levies imposed on motorists.

Defending the fund’s framework, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi explained that part of the levy revenue had been redirected to clear debts linked to stalled road projects.

“We had to make a tough call continue funding gravel roads that erode with every rainfall or use the funds to complete major road works that had stalled due to unpaid dues,” Mbadi said, noting that outstanding payments to contractors had ballooned to around Ksh130 billion.

He added that while the Sh18 per litre levy remains dedicated to road maintenance, an additional Ksh7 per litre has been securitized to settle these infrastructure-related obligations.