More pain at the pump looms as roads board seeks to raise fuel levy

Kenyans should brace themselves for even higher fuel prices in the coming days if a new proposal to increase road maintenance tax is approved.

The Kenya Roads Board (KRB) is seeking to increase the road maintenance levy by Sh5 to cater for inflation in the cost of road construction materials.

The tax, commonly referred to as road maintenance levy fund (RMLF), is collected at the fuel pump and is currently set at Sh18 per litre of petrol and diesel, with Sh3 allocated to the annuity fund and the balance to road maintenance, rehabilitation and development.

This means that motorists would pay Sh23 per litre of fuel at the pump if the proposal is approved, raising the overall cost of the commodity.

“Recommend and lobby for a review of RMLF rate…. Increase of RMLF rate by Sh5,” KRB said in its work plan for the period 2023-2027, arguing that even though the price of petrol and diesel has been rising since 2020, the amount charged as fuel levy remained constant at Sh18 per litre despite the increased demand for better roads. The KRB is proposing that the changes take force in 2025.

The State maintains the country’s roads network through the Kenya Roads Board Fund (KRBF), which is mainly financed through the proceeds of the RMLF as well as transit tolls.

The KRBF is shared by the road agencies charged with maintenance — Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (Kerra), Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS), and the county governments.

In the five years from 2018–2022, KRB spent Sh309.74 billion on road maintenance, rehabilitation, and development programmes, excluding the Road Annuity Fund.

These amounts consisted of Sh128.37 billion to Kenha, Kerra (84.95 billion), Kura (Sh35.24 billion), KWS (Sh31.36 billion), county governments (Sh26.69 billion) and a Sh31.36 billion allocation through the Transport Cabinet Secretary.

KRB said the cost of maintaining roads in the country has shot up substantially from costlier fuel prices to the cost of key road construction materials, including tar and bitumen, and is expected to impact the cost of periodic road maintenance by road agencies in the 2023/24 fiscal year which commenced July 1.

For example, the cost of periodic maintenance per kilometre by Kenha is expected to move from Sh3.94 million to Sh6.06 million in the current financial year, according to data from KRB.

“There has been an increase in periodic maintenance cost by about 35 per cent attributable to the uptake of roads with failed payments and increase in price construction materials mainly due to rise in fuel prices,” KRB noted in a summary of its 2023/24 annual public roads programme.

Kenha is expected to spend an estimated Sh1 billion on the periodic maintenance of 166 kilometres of paved road surfaces. Routine maintenance and spot improvement by the agency will, meanwhile, cost three times as much or Sh3.1 billion and will touch on 717.3 kilometres of roads.

The bulk of Kenha’s road maintenance budget at Sh14.4 billion will be handled under performance-based contracting where most risks are transferred to the contractor. KRB has allocated Kenha Sh33.6 billion in the current financial year for road works.

On its part, Kerra has been allocated Sh25.6 billion for road works, including Sh18.7 billion for routine maintenance and spot improvement. The road maintenance budget by Kerra is slightly higher than the Sh17.9 billion set aside for the same works last year.

Meanwhile, Kura has been apportioned a budget of Sh12 billion from which it will deploy Sh8.7 billion for road maintenance intervention measures on some planned 2,821 kilometres of roads. The intervention measures are expected to include the construction of pedestrian walkways.

The KWS has been allocated Sh802.7 million for road works, which include the routine maintenance of 2,554.8 kilometres of roads for Sh621.5 million.

KRB said it targets to raise Sh150 billion through the capital markets and other creditors to finance road maintenance programmes amid threats of lower RMLF collections as more users shifted to electric vehicles.

“With the accelerated transition to e-mobility, the effect of global climatic change, and gradual transition from the traditional use of fossil fuels to green energy, the Board expects a future reduction in fuel levy collections,” KRB said.

“The Board is currently conducting a study on the economic impact of electric mobility on sustainability of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund which shall inform the Board on the sustainability of continued dependability of fuel levy as the only major source of financing road maintenance, rehabilitation and development and recommend on other sustainable financing options based on the changing operational environment,” it added.

A strong shift toward e-mobility could have an impact on the RMLF collections and hurt operations in the road sector which has an estimated funding gap of Sh610.7 billion shillings for rehabilitation of the country’s dilapidated network between 2023 and 2027.

Uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country has been on a steady rise since last year as Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators and those in the digital-taxi-hailing and boda boda drop the fossil-fuel powered engines in favour of the electric units.

Kenya had 1,350 electric vehicles (two-wheelers and three-wheelers) as of February this year and the number is expected to rise by the end of the year.Local electric mobility start-up BasiGo and Swedish-Kenyan technology company Roam have since last year deployed at least 20 electric buses on city routes as the shift to clean mobility by PSVs gathers pace. The two firms say that orders for the units have been increasing.

AM Live

AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.

BNX

Business Redefined

Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.

Comedies

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Documentaries

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Entertainment

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Full Episodes

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Gumzo La Sato

Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.

Health Diary

Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.

Letter To My Younger Self

Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.

Mazao Talks

Mazao looks at agriculture and agribusiness

Nation Reports

Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.

One Health Lens Podcast

Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.

Podcasts

Podcasts

Primetime

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Speaking of GEN Z

Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.

Sport On

Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.

Tech-over

The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.

Thamani

Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.

The Politalk podcast

This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.

The Trend

A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.

The trend podcast

The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA

The Wicked Edition

The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience

Trending

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Twende

Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.

Unscripted

This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.

VIP Access

VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.

WADR

This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.

When death do us part

In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.

Your World

Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.