Governors willing to withdraw roads case over Sh10.5 billion dispute
Speaking before the committee, Wanga emphasized the CoG's readiness to engage in talks to bring about a peaceful resolution.
The Council of Governors (CoG) has signaled its willingness to withdraw a case on the disputed Sh10.5 billion roads kitty if the National Treasury guarantees that counties’ interests will be safeguarded.
The CoG had earlier filed the case after counties were excluded from the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF).
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga told the Budget and Appropriations Committee of the National Assembly that the governors are open to resolving the issue out of court to end a deadlock that has delayed the passage of the County Governments Additional Allocation Bill 2025.
Speaking before the committee, Wanga emphasized the CoG's readiness to engage in talks to bring about a peaceful resolution.
"We are ready for consultations that will see the matter settled out of court. We are more than willing to discuss," Wanga said.
The County Governments Additional Allocation Bill 2025 is crucial in unlocking Sh50.5 billion in additional funds from development partners to help boost county development projects.
However, the bill’s passage has been delayed due to disagreements over the allocation amounts between the National Assembly and Senate.
Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, who chairs the committee, noted that the delay is hampering the construction of roads under the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (Kerra).
"The Council of Governors needs to explore an out-of-court settlement because the roads that were being done by Kerra have stalled. The fast-tracking of this Bill will facilitate movement of funds to the counties," he said.
This ongoing conflict involves the 2024 version of the bill, which was rejected due to a deadlock over funding amounts, with the National Assembly proposing Sh25.3 billion while the Senate pushed for Sh50.5 billion.
The governors and Senate have supported allocating RMLF funds to counties for road construction, but the National Assembly opposes the idea.
Governor Fernandes Barasa of Kakamega also voiced concerns about the delays, warning that they are hampering crucial development projects in counties