Senior ODM Official Slams Ruto’s Control Roads Maintenance Fund Remarks
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir is the latest county leader to sharply criticize President William Ruto.
Nassir has reiterated the difficult topic of who should receive a larger proportion of monies allocated for road upkeep and development.
In a statement issued on Sunday, April 27, Governor Abdulswamad mirrored the complaints expressed by several county officials across the country.
He questioned why the government wants to control billions of dollars in road repair monies, despite the explicit authority given to county governments by the Kenyan constitution.
County roads must be managed by county governments — that’s our collective position as Governors. We understand our communities’ needs best, and our citizens expect local solutions from their local leaders.
— Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir (@A_S_Nassir) April 27, 2025
Take Links Road in Nyali for example: every time it rains, it floods —… pic.twitter.com/fPPCpMgTVy
“If the Kenyan Constitution says county roads should be managed by the county government, why should the national government decide to keep the money, and why should the usage of those funds be used by people not familiar with our problems?” the governor posed.
The governor, who also serves as the deputy party head of the Raila-led Orange Democratic Party (ODM), believes funding granted for road construction and infrastructure should remain within the counties.
He argued that governors and local leaders already understood their regions’ special requirements.
He specifically pointed to Nyali’s link road as a prime example, stating, “Whenever there are problems with our roads, they always say, ‘The county government is not working’.”
“For this road, they must accept that the money must stay in the county government. Billions in funds should not stay in Nairobi. That is not what devolution was supposed to bring.”
Last Sunday, the president hinted at addressing the issue of road maintenance.
Ruto maintained that delegating to the national government would eliminate conflicting responsibilities and ensure proper resource management.
While speaking at an Easter Sunday service in Ntulele, Narok County, President Ruto promised to ensure infrastructure development and long-term outcomes if the monies were handed to the national government.
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Governors objected to Ruto’s words, with Kisumu County head Anyang’ Nyong’o accusing him of a brazen attempt to seize power.
Allow Governors to Manage Devolution.
— Gov. Anyang' Nyong'o (@AnyangNyongo) April 22, 2025
This is in reference to the ongoing spat between the County Government and the National Government over the management of roads funds.@KenyaGovernors pic.twitter.com/5TxKyVnHRF
Governors have always contended that they are equally entitled to the Road Maintenance Levy Fund, citing their direct involvement in road construction.
They further claim that the fund is derived from a common gasoline levy.
The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Roads, Infrastructure, and Energy continues to wield significant influence over how billions of dollars in road financing are allocated and managed each fiscal year.
Senior ODM Official Slams Ruto’s Control Roads Maintenance Fund Remarks
