Governors and Senators Demand the Dissolution of Kura and Kerra

Kenya’s political leaders are calling for the abolition of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (Kerra) and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura), arguing that these agencies have become redundant following the devolution of government functions.

Senators and governors contend that the billions of shillings currently allocated to these agencies should be redirected to counties, which they believe are better equipped to manage local road networks. This argument has gained traction in recent weeks, with critics accusing the authorities of duplicating functions already assigned to county governments.

Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang' highlighted that counties have already invested heavily in road maintenance equipment, leaving Kerra with little role to play. He criticised the agency for often subcontracting work instead of using its own machinery, describing this as inefficient. Similarly, Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu pointed out that his administration had spent Sh1.6 billion on 120 heavy machines to improve county roads, asserting that if a function is better handled at the county level, it should be transferred there.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also raised concerns, arguing that Kura and Kerra operate without consulting county leaders on road priorities. He noted that while nearly 70% of Kenya’s roads fall under county jurisdiction, counties receive only a small fraction of the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), with just Sh10.5 billion out of the Sh119.7 billion collected last year. Sakaja argued that if the funds were divided proportionally, counties would receive Sh83.9 billion, which he believes would improve road conditions across the country.

Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong’o echoed these criticisms, calling Kerra and Kura barriers to effective service delivery. He accused the agencies of slow progress on key roads despite a significant portfolio of projects. 

"We cannot solve the country’s road issues unless we dismantle these agencies,” Nyong’o said.

The push to abolish the agencies is not new. A 2013 taskforce report, supported by the National and County Government Coordination Summit in December 2024, recommended either winding up or merging Kerra and Kura, or transferring their responsibilities to county governments. Senators such as Ledama Olekina and Karungo Thang’wa have argued that redirecting Kerra’s funds to counties would reduce duplication and curb corruption. 

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei even referred to the agencies as "illegal entities" and called for their dissolution. However, the national government remains opposed to this proposal. President William Ruto has defended the continued management of the Roads Maintenance Levy at the national level, arguing that counties have misused funds and delivered poor-quality roads. He believes that centralised oversight is necessary to ensure high-quality infrastructure nationwide.