GOVT BREAKS DOWN HOW FUEL LEVY BILLIONS WERE SHARED AMONG 47 COUNTIES

The Kenya Roads Board (KRB) has released Ksh3.68 billion from the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) to all 47 counties for the 2024/25 financial year. The money comes from the Fuel Levy collected from motorists and is meant to support maintenance of county roads.

According to KRB, each county government must submit detailed work plans to regional offices in Kisumu, Nyeri, Garissa, Eldoret, Isiolo, Nakuru, Kakamega, and Machakos, or send them by email to drcr@krb.go.ke. The deadline for submission is Tuesday, August 12.

Nairobi City County received the highest allocation at Ksh120.4 million. Other significant allocations include Nakuru with Ksh183.4 million, Kitui with Ksh152.4 million, Makueni with Ksh146.9 million, Machakos with Ksh111.1 million, Kiambu with Ksh118.9 million, and Kajiado with Ksh106.3 million.

Some counties got smaller amounts, including Vihiga (Ksh37.5 million) and Nyamira (Ksh41.4 million). Others include Kilifi (Ksh85.2 million), Garissa (Ksh63.9 million), Meru (Ksh102.8 million), Uasin Gishu (Ksh86.2 million), and Kakamega (Ksh81.3 million).

The announcement follows claims by Kiharu MP that the government quietly added a Ksh7-per-litre levy in 2023, despite global oil prices dropping. Treasury CS John Mbadi explained the extra charge was used to pay about Ksh130 billion owed to road contractors, while the original Ksh18 levy remains dedicated to road maintenance.

Mbadi said the government had to choose between spending on murram roads that get damaged every rainy season or finishing stalled major road projects. Transport CS Davis Chirchir added that the plan is part of efforts to clear Ksh175 billion in pending bills in the roads sector.

Meanwhile, EPRA raised fuel prices for the July–August cycle by Ksh9 for petrol, Ksh8 for diesel, and Ksh9 for kerosene, citing rising global oil prices and conflicts affecting supply.