Murkomen assured Kenyans that the government was exploring ways of getting the resources it needed to maintain roads, as expressed by members of the public, without raising the cost of living
Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed that though the government has no plans to scrap the Road Maintenance Levy (RMLF), it will increase it without having to increase the fuel prices which would have further worsened the cost of living.
In a statement on Monday, July 8, the CS appreciated Kenyans across the country for turning up in large numbers to give their views on the maintenance of the country’s roads.
“It is worth noting that there has been a considerable increase in the country’s road network from 166,451km in 2016 to the current 239,122km which requires regular maintenance from the Ksh18 provided for by the Road Maintenance Levy that has been in place for the last eight years,” he stated in part.
Aerial view of Nairobi Expressway along Waiyaki Way, Westlands in this photo taken on April 16, 2022. /NATION MEDIA GROUP
According to the CS, the county is grappling with a maintenance deficit of Ksh78 billion this financial year alone. With the current trend, it is projected that by the Financial Year 2028/2029 this financing gap will rise to Ksh315 billion.
He added that most of these abandoned roads are under the Low Volume Seal programme which has never been maintained in the last 10 years and is on the verge of being wiped away altogether, hence, the Roads Maintenance Levy Review is intended to fill this gap.
“From the views we have received, many Kenyans are worried that an increase in the levy will result in a rise in the cost of living.
“With this in mind, we will analyse the reports received on email and social media platforms as well as the submissions made today, and come up with a decision that corresponds with the recommendations from the public,” he added.
Murkomen assured Kenyans that the government was exploring ways of getting the resources it needed to maintain roads, as expressed by members of the public, without raising the cost of living through an increase in petroleum prices.
“As suggested by Kenyans, we will only make this decision when we are certain that any revenue measures adopted will not result in a rise in the cost of living,” he promised.
Speaking during a public participation forum earlier on, Murkomen noted that the major concern for Kenyans was the proposed increase in fuel prices by Ksh7 and should that not be revised upwards, Kenyans would welcome any positive changes.
The Kenya Roads Board (KRB), taking this into consideration, had proposed hiking the RML to Ksh25 up from the current Ksh18.
“We will come back to you with solutions that will not transfer the prices of fuel and make it higher than it is at the moment for the people of Kenya. We have heard you.
“If it means even waiting until when fuel prices come down we will wait so the people of Kenya do not suffer more,” stated Murkomen.
He added that the the government has been forced to suspend contracts for road maintenance for the first time in the country due to a cash deficit.
