Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has called on Members of Parliament to pass legislation allowing county governments to directly control the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF).
The Governor said the counties had a stronger role in infrastructure planning and implementation in their respective jurisdictions.
Speaking Thursday in Malava Sub-county, where he oversaw the distribution of essential drugs and pharmaceuticals to health facilities, Governor Barasa said it was unconstitutional for the national government to manage funds meant for local infrastructure without involving counties. "The MPs are frustrating devolution," he said. "We have a right to claim close to Sh10.5 billion for counties to implement road maintenance projects more efficiently." The Roads Maintenance Levy, currently pegged at Sh25 per litre of petrol and diesel, is collected by the Kenya Roads Board and managed at the National level.
Funds from the levy are distributed to National road agencies such as the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).
