The Ministry of Roads and Transport has announced a proposed review of the Roads Maintenance Levy to address a significant maintenance deficit.
In a statement issued on 8th July, 2024, Roads Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen thanked Kenyans for their input on road maintenance. “We will analyse the reports received on email and social media platforms as well as the submissions made today, and we will come up with a decision that corresponds with the recommendations from the public”.
The road network in Kenya has expanded from 166,451km in 2016 to 239,122km in 2024, necessitating regular upkeep. The current levy of Ksh18, which has been in place for the last eight years, is insufficient to cover the maintenance costs. This year alone, the country faces a maintenance deficit of Sh78 billion, which is projected to rise to Sh315 billion by the 2028/2029 financial year.
Many roads, especially those under the Low Volume Seal programme, have not been maintained in a decade and are deteriorating rapidly. The proposed review of the Roads Maintenance Levy aims to address this gap.
Public feedback indicates concerns that increasing the levy could raise the cost of living. The ministry is committed to analyzing all reports and submissions to ensure any decision made aligns with public recommendations. The goal is to find alternative funding sources to maintain roads without increasing petroleum prices or living costs.
