National Assembly, Senate clash over road funds as MPs call for Senate abolition

Members of Parliament (MPs) have threatened to push for constitutional changes to abolish the Senate after senators rejected a Bill seeking to allocate part of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund to counties. The Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill, 2025, proposed allocating five per cent of the levy directly to county governments for road development. However, senators rejected the Bill in its entirety at the Second Reading, setting the stage for mediation between the two Houses. The rejection has triggered a fresh confrontation between the National Assembly and Senate, with legislators accusing the Upper House of blocking resources meant for county roads and questioning why senators would oppose legislation intended to benefit counties. The Bill sought to provide for the allocation of part of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) to county governments alongside the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) and the national government.