Worth Noting:
- Robert Mbui, MP ( Kathiani) highlighted how government officials are trying to change laws forgetting that laws can only be changed by Parliament.
- “It is unfortunate that government officials ignore the law. For example, our school buses, which were changed to be all yellow and the changes didn’t come from the floor of the house Mbui added.
- While supporting the Committee’s recommendations, Martha Wangari, MP (Gilgil) acknowledged that some constituencies are vast and relay on the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund to develop road networks. She further urged the Transport Committee to stand firm in its decision concerning this matter.
The National Assembly has rejected proposals by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority that seek to reduce projected funding ceilings from 22%to 15% and to the Critical Roads from 10% to 6.8%, in the financial years 2024/25 and 2025/26.
This follows a report tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, George Kariuki, MP (Ndia) that rejected the proposed reduction of projected ceilings for the Financial Years 2024/25 and 2025/26.
In the report, the Committee observed that the communication made by KeRRA is inconsistent with section six of the Kenya Roads Board Act, 1999 and the ninth National and County Governments Coordinating Summit held in February 2023 in Naivasha which resolved that the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) allocation to the counties would be given consideration in the Financial Year 2024/25 through a restructured process. Implementation of the resolution would entail amendment of the Kenya Roads Board Act, 1999 which has not been done
Speaking on the floor of the House, Kariuki said that the Committee noted and deliberated on the contents of a Communication from the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) to Regional Directors regarding the reduction of projected funding ceilings to the Constituency Roads from 22% to 15% and to the Critical Roads from 10% to 6.8%, in the Financial Years 2024/25 and 2025/26.
Robert Mbui, MP ( Kathiani) highlighted how government officials are trying to change laws forgetting that laws can only be changed by Parliament.
“It is unfortunate that government officials ignore the law. For example, our school buses, which were changed to be all yellow and the changes didn’t come from the floor of the house Mbui added.
While supporting the Committee’s recommendations, Martha Wangari, MP (Gilgil) acknowledged that some constituencies are vast and relay on the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund to develop road networks. She further urged the Transport Committee to stand firm in its decision concerning this matter.
On her part, Phylis Bartoo, MP (Moiben) lauded the Committee for being vigilant saying that ” Parliament is a house of record and the House has not passed any amendment to reduce the projected funding ceiling from 22%to 15% and to the Critical Roads form 10% to 6.8%, in the financial years 2024/25 and 2025/26.”
Sentiments echoed by Kimilili MP and Vice Chair, Didmus Barasa who said that laws are made and amended in Parliament. He also assured the House that the Committee will continue to safeguard public interests and resources.
The Report by the Committee on Transport and Infrastructure in part reads, “Public Officers should refrain from issuing communications/ circulars that have legal implication before the approval of Parliament and that the Kenya Roads Board expedites release of funds for the Financial Year 2023/24 to the Road Agencies.”
In a quick rejoinder the Member of Parliament for Mwea Constituency Mary Maingi opined:
“In fact the KERRA money should be increased from 22 it should go to 32 because we have Constituencies like mine which are so left behind which are so needy in terms of infrastructure so I’d like them to increase the amount.”