KENHA Clarifies The Role Of RMFL On Roads Maintenance

By Dorothy Musyoka

Kenya’s road network is a vital artery for the nation’s economy, linking cities, towns, and rural areas, facilitating trade, and enabling daily commutes.

The upkeep of this extensive network is a significant challenge, requiring consistent and reliable funding.

A move that has seen Kenya National Highways Authority clarify the importance of Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) following the concerns on the levy.

According to KENHA, RMFL is a critical source of financial support administered by the Kenya Roads Board (KRB). The RMLF is designed to maintain and improve existing roads, ensuring that they remain safe and reliable for all users.

Funded by a levy on petroleum products, the RMLF provides a steady stream of revenue that allows for ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation of roads across the country.

“Collected primarily from fuel levies, the fund is used for routine maintenance, repairs, and rehabilitation of roads under various Authorities. This means that KeNHA cannot use this funds to construct a new road,” KENHA explained.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), one of the primary beneficiaries of the RMLF, has successfully utilized these funds to maintain and upgrade national highways and major roads under its jurisdiction.

“The Kenya National Highways Authority, which is one of the beneficiaries of the fund from this kitty, use the money in maintaining and improving our road infrastructure,” stated KENHA.

However, with the growing demand for new roads, the need for additional funding sources has become apparent leading to introduction of tolling on some roads.

Under this system, users pay a fee to use certain roads, and the funds collected are then dedicated to the maintenance and rehabilitation of those specific roads.

“In the event of successful tolling, the collected fees will then be used to maintain and rehabilitate the specific road that they are collected from. This could free RMLF to fund new road projects as the tolled roads may not be candidates for the RMLF fund,” noted KENHA.

However KeNHA has pledged to adhere to the approved policies established by the Kenya Roads Board, in ensuring that funds are utilized efficiently and transparently to enhance the safety and quality of highways for all Kenyans.