National Assembly minority leader Junet Mohamed, has called on Parliament to urgently prioritise the Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill, 2025, warning that delays in passing the legislation could paralyse the country’s roads development programme.
Speaking at the opening of the 3rd National Assembly Leadership Retreat in Naivasha, the Suna East MP stressed that the proposed law is critical to addressing constitutional gaps in the Kenya Roads Board Act, which were recently flagged by the High Court.
“Because of this, we must as a House prioritise the consideration of the Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Failure to do so carries the grave risk of stalling the entire roads programme,” said Junet.
The Bill, sponsored by Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma on behalf of the House Legislative Caucus, seeks to remedy legal shortcomings that exclude county governments from key decisions on road maintenance and classification. The High Court had ruled that such exclusions were unconstitutional and undermined the spirit of devolution.
If enacted, the Bill would allocate 5 per cent of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) to counties, require the creation of qualified county roads departments, mandate the opening of special Central Bank accounts, and introduce annual oversight mechanisms through the Kenya Roads Board.
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Junet said the retreat was a timely opportunity for legislators to reflect on the performance of Parliament, improve institutional discipline, and re-evaluate its public image.
“There was no better time to call for the retreat than now. We are in the middle of the journey where we take stock of how far we have come, where we want to go, and what challenges lie ahead,” he noted.
He also defended Parliament against growing public criticism, arguing that the House had played a pivotal role in enacting transformative legislation in housing, health, and infrastructure sectors.
“Parliament has done very well. We have passed a number of Bills that have changed the lives of Kenyans. I think this Parliament has been judged harshly because we are seen as the boogeymen of politics,” he said.
Addressing the strained relationship between the Legislature and the Judiciary, Junet called for constructive dialogue, particularly on laws that have been invalidated by the courts.
“We need to have a common understanding with the Judiciary. That is why tomorrow’s session with them is critical,” he said.
The leadership retreat continues, with top agenda items including intergovernmental collaboration, legislative priorities, and oversight mechanisms.
By Obegi Malack
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