By ALBERT NYAKUNDI
Mount Kenya Youth Caucas chairman Linford Mutembei has called on Kenya Roads Board to consider increasing funding for Kenya Rural Roads Authority.
This comes after a bill sponsored by Majority Leader Aden Duale to amend Kenya Roads Board Act of 1999 collapsed.
Mutembei said that about 70 percent of the country’s road network falls under the KeRRA.
“The authority has many roads to take care of in terms of development, continuous maintenance and rehabilitation as compared to Kenya Urban Roads Authority and Kenya National Highways Authority.” Mutembei told Hot News in an interview at a Nairobi hotel.
He said KeRRA has demonstrated that if more funds are allocated to it, it can transform the rural Kenya in line with the Big four agenda and Vision 2030.
“Most roads that were impassable have now been upgraded and farmers in particular are benefitting. This will in the long run make Kenya food secure.” Mutembei said.
Duale’s Kenya Roads Bill 2017 tabled in parliament in December 2017 could have helped to solve duplication of roles of the three roads agencies.
His bill however collapsed during mediation between the Parliament and the Senate. Duale told Hot News he will republish the bill soon.
“It collapsed at the mediation stage between the houses and I will republish it soon,” Duale told Hot News on phone.
The majority leader’s bill sought to give effect to the fourth schedule of the constitution regarding the roads sub sector.
According to a memorandum of objects, the bill also proposed a review of legal and institutional structure for the management of the roads network and roads subsector in an efficient and effective manner.
Other proposals included inventory and survey of all public roads and advising the Transport CS every five years as well as amending of Kenya Roads Board Act of 1999.
It also called for repealing of the Kenya Roads Act 2007 and the Public Roads and Roads of Access Act 1920 among other amendments.
On its contribution in the bill, the Kenya Roads Board sought legal backing to withhold funding to the road agencies-KeRRA,KURA and KenHA should they fail to comply with the rules that guide public roads standards.
Meanwhile Mutembei praised KURA for the ongoing improvement of outering road saying the underpasses will reduce traffic and road carnage.
“The foot bridges will ensure safety of pedestrians.” He said.