National Treasury CS John Mbadi has called out longstanding disparities in the allocation of billions of roads cash in the country.
The tough-talking minister accused unnamed officials of perpetuating inequalities that favour some regions, while neglecting some sections of the country.
This, he said, must end to ensure all the 47 counties experience uniform development of roads network because all regions pay taxes.
Speaking in Homa Bay county on Saturday, the CS said the road’s billions continue to flow disproportionately, undermining the national unity efforts put by the government.
“We must make sure that developments are spread across the country, that there is equity. If you look at the ongoing budget across the country, there has been unfairness, which we must correct,” Mbadi said.
“You find one county’s money for roads is Sh151 billion for ongoing projects, the neighbouring county Sh81 billion, the third county Sh77 billion. You go to another county like Samburu, only Sh7 million allocated for roads. Homa Bay county, road allocation was less than Sh12 million. Siaya and Migori is even less.”
“Northeastern is even worse and Northeastern is the most marginalised area, we must make sure that North Eastern also realize development.This is unfair.”
Mbadi was speaking in Kibura village, Gwassi North ward, during a meeting with local women entrepreneurs. He was accompanied by former Kabondo Kasipul MP Sylvance Osele of the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU).
Mbadi said almost half of the roads budget is being consumed in one region, leaving most parts of the country’s roads in despair. He vowed a comprehensive relook into the allocations of the roads billions to ensure equity across all 47 counties.
The review, he said, is meant to rectify irregularities in funding of the multibillion-shilling roads projects and uplift regions that have been neglected to ensure balanced national development. Mbadi said he has the support of President William Ruto to ensure equity in the rollout of key infrastructure projects across the country.
“We have agreed with the President that we must be equitable in the distribution of resources because all Kenyans are paying taxes,” Mbadi said.
He said his ministry will end political favouritism, which has seen some regions lagging behind while others are over-funded.
Mbadi’s remarks come on the backdrop of a purge in Parliament targeting leadership of various house teams and reconstituting them in line with the current political realities.
There have been concerns of late on the relevance of some committee chairpersons following the high-octane politics that accompanied the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Some committee leaders have been accused of channelling mega projects in their departments to their areas, leaving the rest of the country with nothing.
Some of the committee members have been accused of skewing the budgets for energy, education, roads, water and wildlife projects to their constituencies.
Osele asked Nyanza region to rally behind President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration, saying the head of state has good plans for the region.
“We must continue telling our
people that the President has good
plans for our region, and we must
also reciprocate by supporting his
administration,” he said.
