Governors now want the Kenya Roads Board (KRB) to respect a high court ruling that allowed counties to get the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) and disburse it to counties immediately.
Council of Governors chair FCPA Ahmed Abdulahi says he has written to the KRB to release the funds forthwith, stating there was no need to continue holding the funds, yet it is clear through the court process that resulted in the judgement made that classification of roads is clear and both levels of government have clear jurisdiction.
Governor Abdulahi, in demanding the release of the funds, has also his out at the National Assembly, saying they were in clear contravention of the constitution in denying counties the funds and thus, they should stick to their mandate as opposed to fighting over resources that are meant for the counties.
Moving forward, the CoG says the right of counties to maintaining roads that are in their jurisdiction should not be toyed with and used as a tool to also deny counties their equitable share of national resources, shared between the two levels of government as had been witnessed in a protracted battle that saw the courts as a clear arbiter.
Consequently, the CoG finance committee chair, who is also the Kakamega governor Fernandez Barasa wants the National Government to release kes. 64 billion owed to counties before the end of the financial year.
Governor Barasa also wants the National Government to extend the IFMIS closure period once the funds are released so as to enable counties absorb the funds to avoid pending bills
