Parliament passes bill to align road classification with devolution
By Nancy Marende, October 7, 2025The National Assembly has passed the Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a landmark piece of legislation designed to align the country’s road classification and management with the devolved system of governance.
The Bill sponsored by Homa Bay Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Kaluma on behalf of the House General Legislative Caucus to amend the Kenya Roads Act by classifying public roads into national trunk roads and county roads, ensuring that road management responsibilities are clearly defined between the national and county governments.
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“This bill ensures that both levels of government receive fair and transparent funding for road works, addressing disparities that have existed since the introduction of devolution,” parliament revealed in a statement on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
Proposed classification
In a notice on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, the National Assembly stated that the bill seeks to vest the management of county roads under county governments, in line with paragraph 5(a) of Part 2 of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution.
“AND WHEREAS, the Kenya Roads (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 34 of 2025), the Air Passenger Service Charge (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 35 of 2025), and the Privatisation Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 36 of 2025) have been read a first time and referred to the relevant Departmental Committees for consideration and reporting back to the House,” the notice read.
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The proposed classification aims to bring clarity to the roles of both national and county governments in the maintenance, rehabilitation, and development of roads, thereby eliminating confusion and overlaps in road infrastructure management.
Additionally, the Bill proposes amendments to the Kenya Roads Board Act, Cap. 408A, to ensure county governments receive a share of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund. This would provide counties with the necessary financial resources to maintain and develop roads within their jurisdiction.