Counties share Sh3.7bn roads levy fund amid budget shortfalls

Counties have finally received Sh3.7 billion from the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) after months of wrangling with Parliament, but details show that the allocations fall far short of what they had budgeted for their road projects.

Nakuru was the biggest beneficiary with Sh183.4 million, while Nairobi and Machakos followed with Sh120.1 million and Sh111.1 million respectively. On the lower side, Nyamira got Sh41.4 million, Mombasa Sh45.6 million and Trans Nzoia Sh52.8 million.

Other allocations included Nyeri at Sh100 million, Murang’a Sh94 million, Uasin Gishu Sh86 million, Kilifi Sh85.8 million, Marsabit Sh83 million, Kakamega Sh81 million, Taita Taveta Sh78 million, Mandera and Garissa each Sh63 million, Bungoma Sh63 million, Samburu Sh60 million, and Tharaka Nithi Sh55 million.

However, allocations for 28 counties were not made public as they had not submitted their project work plans for review by the Kenya Roads Board.

The distribution was outlined by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir when he appeared before the National Assembly Budget Committee chaired by Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi.

He said the disbursement was arrived at after consultations involving the Ministry of Roads, the Office of the Attorney General and Parliament.

The ministry disclosed that 19 counties submitted road work plans worth Sh3.35 billion, nearly equal to the entire national allocation, exposing the wide gap between demand and available funds.

Nakuru, for instance, applied for Sh527.6 million but received Sh183.4 million, leaving a Sh344 million gap. Murang’a presented a Sh270.9 million plan but was allocated Sh94.7 million.

Only a handful of counties such as Kakamega, Samburu and Nairobi submitted proposals that closely matched what they received. Nyeri stood out as the only county that was given more than it requested.

It applied for Sh80.7 million but was awarded Sh100.3 million.

Counties had previously been unable to access the cash after the High Court declared the section of the Kenya Roads Board Act that governs RMLF allocations unconstitutional.

The Court of Appeal granted a 12-month stay to give time for amendments, but the law is yet to be revised.

A bill being pushed by a caucus in the National Assembly led by Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma is still under discussion. The proposal seeks to allocate five per cent of levy funds to counties.

At the same time, Chirchir raised concern over the future of the fuel levy, saying it may not remain a reliable source of money for road maintenance.

He pointed to the growing use of electric vehicles as a challenge to the levy system.

“Another strategy that is currently being investigated is the implementation of Mass Distance Charges, which are fees imposed on road users based on their usage of the roads,” Chirchir said.

According to ministry data, the RMLF received Sh115 billion this financial year, with the same amount projected for the next.