Governor Nyong’o Blasts Ruto Government for Undermining Devolution
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, accusing the national government of deliberately undermining devolution by attempting to control critical funds meant for counties.
In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, Governor Nyong’o denounced the Ruto administration’s bid to centralize the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), terming it as a regressive move that betrays the spirit of the 2010 Constitution.
“The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) need not exist if the national government is prepared to fully implement devolution,” Nyong’o stated.
The standoff escalated following President Ruto’s remarks on Sunday, where he hinted at transferring full control of the RMLF to the national government. Speaking during an Easter Sunday service in Ntulele, Narok County, the President argued that centralizing the funds would streamline infrastructure development and eliminate bureaucratic overlaps.
However, Governor Nyong’o dismissed these claims as deceptive, accusing the national government of seeking to revert to centralized control reminiscent of Kenya’s pre-2010 political era.
“The truth is that the Ruto regime has decided to go back to pre-devolution times of the Nyayo era,” he said. “The 2010 Constitution is a hindrance to its primitive accumulation schemes.”
He further criticized the national government’s performance in managing public institutions, citing Kenyatta National Hospital as an example of inefficiency under centralized governance.
The control of the RMLF has long been a source of friction between the national and county governments. The Council of Governors (CoG) has consistently argued that counties deserve a share of the fund, citing their involvement in local road construction and the shared origin of the fuel levy.
In March, tensions heightened when governors refused to withdraw a court case against Members of Parliament over the control of the fund.
At the heart of the debate is the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Roads, Infrastructure, and Energy, which reviews and approves the frameworks for road fund allocation. This committee has significant influence over how billions of shillings are distributed among KeNHA, KURA, KeRRA, and county governments.
Governor Nyong’o’s criticism echoes broader frustrations among county leaders who feel sidelined by a central government they accuse of stifling development through financial control.
As the power struggle continues, Kenyans await clarity on the future of road maintenance and whether the principles of devolution will be upheld or eroded.
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Governor Nyong’o Blasts Ruto Government for Undermining Devolution