Let me control it: Ruto tells MPs and Senators over roads budget tiff

Speaking during a Sunday service in Narok County, President Ruto said that the legislators should bring their ongoing tiff over the fund's control and allow him to pioneer its disbursement.

He argued that there is dire need to construct roads across the nation and the funds being at his disposal will allow for easy disbursement and oversight.

"If you leave it to me I can gather funds enough to build all roads because the money you distribute allows you to build only a small portion and then it is destroyed by rains so I urge you to allow me to plan for that money in the way it can benefit Kenyans more than how it is currently being utilised," said Ruto.

He added that the government has so far paid about Ksh.60 billion to finish the construction of pending roads, noting that more funds will be wired in the next few coming months.

"Many Kenyans need roads but there are limited resources. We have adopted various strategies to find the resources, we have slightly succeeded," Ruto added.

This comes as Senators sided with governors in the fight for the control of the Ksh.10.5 billion RMLF, urging Members of the National Assembly to drop their quest for it.

Members of the Senate Finance Committee said they will not support any proposals in the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, 2025, currently before the House, without RMLF.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah said they are protecting the Ksh.10 billion RMLF from being looted by the governors.

“As a House, we will process the additional county revenue Bill without RMLF and let me tell them, it will not pass on the floor of this House. RMLF is a live wire in this House that you will never touch,” Ichung’wah said.

Meanwhile, Senators have told MPs not to pursue control over the fund.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said the money should be controlled by governors, saying MPs just want it for corruption purposes.

Council of Governors Chairman Ahmed Abdullahi said the matter is in court, expressing confidence that the outcome will be to their favour.