The government has revealed that plans are underway to increase the Road Maintenance Levy (RMLF) without increasing pump prices as had been initially suggested.
Speaking during a public participation forum on July 8, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba 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.
With this in mind, the Kenya Roads Board (KRB) had proposed hiking the RML to Ksh25 up from the current Ksh18.
However, the CS assured Kenyans that he and senior KRB officials would be sitting down and exploring ways to increase the road maintenance levy, which will necessitate cutting other costs that constitute the current pump prices.
In his speech, Murkomen stated that the Board had received concerns on the proposed fuel price hikes hence the decision to retreat and consider other options.
“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.
CS Murkomen, while making his remarks, stressed that increasing the levy was crucial since the country didn't have enough funds to maintain roads across the country.
According to Murkomen, the current Road Maintenance Levy will raise Ksh79 billion, while the projected amount required to maintain roads across the country is Ksh157 billion, yielding a Ksh78 billion deficit.
However, if the levy increment is adjusted, the govt will raise Ksh115 billion which will see more roads across the nation being maintained at the required level.
According to Murkomen, the government has been forced to pause contracts for road maintenance for the first time in the country due to a cash crunch.
“This is the first year that we had to suspend contracts because there is not enough money from Road Maintenance Levy to maintain your roads,” stated Murkomen.
He further added that some contractors have also not been paid for works completed in previous financial years.
