County bosses to take over road repairs

By KENAN MIRUKA and ROBERT NYASATO

KISII; KENYA: County governments are poised to take over the management of roads within their jurisdiction in the new political dispensation.

Speaking in Kisii during an inspection tour, Kenya Roads Board (KRB) officials led by chairman Joel Wanyoike and Executive Director Francis Nyangaga said most counties will now control resources for management of roads in their areas.

During a meeting with Kisii County Governor James Ongwae at his office, the KRB officials said they are meeting governors to understand their ideas on management of roads and how much they had set aside in their budgets for the sector.

“Management of roads has changed as per the Constitution with the county system of government. Roads are now classified into county and national government roads. We want to understand how much has been set aside for roads in county governments’ budgets,” said Dr Nyangaga.

Mr Ongwae lamented that governors were in the dark saying the management of road funds was shrouded in secrecy with many government departments handling issues in the sector.

“The Governor is fully responsible for resources that come to the county. Resources for roads should be localised so that necessary action can be taken during emergencies like the recent flood situation,” said Ongwae.