By C, KNA
Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir, has urged Parliament to expedite reforms on road funding laws to strengthen County allocations and ensure sustainable financing for Kenya’s expanding road network.
Speaking during a retreat with the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee in Mombasa, Chirchir highlighted the County Governments Additional Allocation Bill, 2025, which seeks to channel part of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) to devolved units.
He, however, cautioned that the proposed Sh13.1 billion allocation to counties was higher than actual projections for the 2025/26 Financial Year, estimating that only Sh12.3 billion would be available under the current formula.
“The Printed Estimates for the 2025/26 Budget made no provision for RMLF allocations to counties. There is, therefore, urgent need to align the legal framework, to ensure predictability and equity in these transfers,” he said.
The CS pointed to legal challenges surrounding the Kenya Roads Board Act, noting that the Court of Appeal had temporarily suspended a High Court ruling that declared parts of the Act unconstitutional.
He said the Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill, 2025, now before Parliament, was key to clarifying classification of roads, assignment of responsibilities, and funding formulas between the two levels of government.
Chirchir disclosed that in June, the Ministry disbursed Sh. 3.68 billion to counties from the RMLF following consultations with the Attorney General and Parliament, with counties required to submit annual road work plans, before accessing funds.
“So far, only 19 counties have submitted their work plans. Some, such as Kakamega, Samburu, and Nairobi, matched the funds disbursed with their plans, while others including Nakuru, Murang’a, and Kilifi presented work plans exceeding their allocations by billions,” adding “We are urging the remaining counties to submit their plans promptly to enable proper review and accountability,” he said.
On financing stalled road projects, the CS reported progress under the RMLF securitization programme, which has already unlocked Sh. 76 billion, enabling the government to settle pending bills worth Sh. 75 billion.
This has revived stalled works, including the Kwa Jomvu Interchange, Mombasa-Mtwapa Road, Kenol Jomvu Interchange, Mombasa, Kenol-Marua Road, Mbita-Sindo Road, and Segel-Maikona Road.
“The securitization programme has been a game changer. Contractors are back on site, key infrastructure projects have resumed, and the ripple effect is being felt across the economy,” Chirchir noted.
Chirchir reaffirmed government’s commitment to expanding and maintaining a world-class road network under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and Vision 2030, calling for “pragmatic, innovative, and inclusive funding solutions” to bridge the sector’s financing gap.
The CS emphasized the need for innovative road financing options, warning that reliance on the fuel levy alone was unsustainable given the global shift to electric mobility.
He added that the government was exploring alternative road financing strategies, including road tolling, mass distance charges, and adjustments to the fuel levy, to ensure long-term sustainability in light of emerging challenges such as electric mobility.