Kumbe senators wanakamatia big-big play — they want counties to get 49 percent of the fuel levy, but the Roads Ministry is saying "pole pole, hakuna haraka" with a measly 15 percent offer. This is the mother of all showdowns over who controls Kenya's billions for road maintenance, and aki, the tension is real!

The Great Fuel Levy Face-Off

Sawa, here's the tea: the Senate Standing Committee on Roads just dropped a bomb during a stakeholder retreat in Machakos, proposing that county governments get 49 percent of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) pie. But the Ministry of Roads and Transport? They're clutching their pearls and saying counties should only get 15 percent. Ndio, you heard that right — a whole 34 percent difference! This isn't just politics, bana; this is about billions of shillings that determine whether your pothole-filled county road gets fixed or stays a swimming pool during rainy season.

The Committee's argument hits different though: they're saying "resources must follow functions." Since counties now handle most of the road maintenance work that used to be done by national agencies, why shouldn't they get the bag? It's logic that even your mama from the village would understand. The senators proposed that the national government keeps 51 percent, with KeNHA getting the lion's share at 38 percent. But for counties? 32 percent to rural roads, 10 percent to urban roads — that's the new formula they're pushing.

Roads Ministry Fights Back With Data

But wait, there's more! Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir isn't backing down without a fight. The Ministry came with a "scientific model" based on traffic volumes, road condition, and maintenance costs. Their argument? National trunk roads carry the heaviest traffic and need more mulla to maintain, even though counties technically have 76 percent of the road network by length. It's like saying your uncle has the smallest piece of land but it's the most valuable plot — different angle, lakini is it fair to the people actually living in those counties?

The Committee identified three major issues: how to split the levy, the manner of apportionment, and road classification. They even want to bypass the Kenya Roads Board and allocate funds directly from the Fuel Levy Fund. This is proper structural change, and Chairman Eddy Oketch already promised consequential amendments to the RMLF Act. Translation? This fight is far from over.

💥 Why This Is Viral

• Billions of shillings on the table — every county wants their cut for those tragic roads
• Classic national vs. devolved government beef that affects Kenyans daily
• Senate vs. Ministry drama is always spicy in parliament corridors
• Your pothole situation directly depends on who wins this battle

The Jukwaa Take: Whether it's 49 percent or 15 percent, what matters is that our roads stop looking like they were bombed — counties need that money now, yesterday, and the day before!

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya