Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is pushing for a Ksh5 increment in the road maintenance levy to offset the rising costs of road construction materials due to inflation.

During a recent interview, Murkomen emphasized that this adjustment would play a crucial role in sustaining the condition of murram roads throughout the country.

According to the CS, despite the construction of over 5,000 roads, there is a lack of a comprehensive plan for their maintenance due to budgetary constraints.

Dismissing the feasibility of the National Dialogue Committee's (NADCO) recommendation to reduce the levy by Ksh5, Murkomen asserted that such a reduction is impractical.

The current Road Maintenance Levy Fund, collected at the pump, stands at Ksh18 per litre for both petrol and diesel. Murkomen's proposal, if accepted, would result in motorists paying Ksh23 per litre of fuel, triggering an inevitable increase in fuel prices.

"We have 5,000 kilometers of roads constructed and not maintained. These are orphaned roads filled with potholes due to neglect," Murkomen expressed concern.

Highlighting the dire state of roads nationwide, Murkomen disclosed that the government owes contractors over Ksh700 billion, with Ksh400 billion owed to Chinese contractors. This backlog has led to prolonged delays in various road projects.

The CS assured that the Kenya Kwanza administration is committed to settling the debt to enable contractors to complete the pending projects. He shared the challenges faced by contractors, including financial struggles leading to house sales and health issues.

"I've conveyed to President William Ruto and my Cabinet colleagues that we will not initiate new projects unless they are from development partners like the World Bank or African Development Bank. The reality is that resources are limited, and we cannot undertake new projects without proper funding," Murkomen asserted, acknowledging the financial constraints faced by the ministry.