I Will Fix Unfair Road Allocations Mbadi Answers
I Will Fix Unfair Road Allocations Mbadi Answers
The tough-talking minister accused unnamed officials of perpetuating inequalities that favor some regions while neglecting some sections of the country.
This, he said, must end to ensure all 47 counties experience uniform development of road networks 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 neighboring county Sh81 billion, the third county Sh77 billion. You go to another county like Samburu, and only Sh7 million is 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 marginalized 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 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 favoritism, 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 the 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 channeling 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 the 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.
I Will Fix Unfair Road Allocations Mbadi Answers
