Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked governors to seek an out of court settlement with parliament over billions in the Road Maintenance Levy Fund in contention between counties and the National Assembly.
While speaking to the county chiefs on Friday, October 6, at his Karen Residence, the Deputy President vowed to convene a consultative forum involving Governors, the Ministry of Transport, and parliament’s leadership over the contentious distribution of the road maintenance levy fund.
“The Council has resolved to convene a consultative forum next week bringing together Council of Governors, Ministry of Roads and agencies CRA and relevant stakeholders,” said Gachagua.
“The forum aims to facilitate discussions on the equitable distribution of funds from the RMLF between the two levels of government with the intention of reaching an out of court settlement, “noted Rigathi.
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The announcement came hours after governors protested the National Assembly’s decision to set the ceiling allocation for road maintenance levy fund at 15%.
Council of Governors chairperson Anne Waiguru had on October 5 issued an ultimatum to the National Assemblyover the decision to sideline counties from the road’s maintenance levy fund for fiscal years 2024/2025/2026.
The Kirinyaga Governor in a press statement noted that the decision by National Assembly on Roads Maintenance Levy Fund has excluded County Governments in allocations which is contrary to the Constitution.
“The Council notes with concern that the decision by the National Assembly which details the sharing formula of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund excludes County Government and is contrary to the constitution of Kenya 2010,” stated Waiguru.
The Kirinyaga Governor in a press statement noted that the decision by National Assembly on Roads Maintenance Levy Fund has excluded County Governments in allocations which is contrary to the Constitution.
“The Council notes with concern that the decision by the National Assembly which details the sharing formula of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund excludes County Government and is contrary to the constitution of Kenya 2010,” stated Waiguru.
Kenya Kwanza Support to Devolution
Subsequently, while Deputy President chaired the 21st ordinary session of the intergovernmental Budget and Economic, Council of Governors used the platform to express their disappointment in the national assembly’s decision.
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The Deputy President further noted that while the Constitution encourages independent institutions, institutions depend on one another for a smooth delivery.
“The Constitution of Kenya establishes among other Counties, Commissions and other independent offices. While these institutions work independently, they depend on one another for smooth service delivery to the people, said Rigathi
Additionally, the Deputy President expressed the Kenya Kwanza Government support to the realization of devolution.
“The National Government is determined to support realisation of devolution and independence of institutions to promote good governance, it is one of the ways of delivering on the Kenya Kwanza Plan,”said DP Gachagua.