Kura disbanded as new agencies created

Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) Director General Eng Joseph Nkadayo (left) with Nairobi Southern Bypass project resident Eng Saleh Parpia, during the inspection of the road on July 3 2014. Government has approved a plan to disband Kura and create three autonomous watchdogs. PHOTO | PHOEBE OKALL |

By  NATION CORRESPONDENT

What you need to know:

  • The reforms are part of implementation of the changes brought by the 2010 Constitution that ushered a devolved system of government.
  • The new structure will ensure that over 75 per cent of the roads currently under Kenya Urban Roads Authority are devolved to the county governments.

Government has approved a plan to disband the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) and create three autonomous watchdogs.

In the new look, Kura will become a department in Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) which will now take over the responsibility of developing and managing national highways and urban roads.

“The Kenya National Rural Roads Authority (KenRRA) will be tasked with developing and managing national rural roads while the new Kenya Roads Funds Boards will be established through the amendment of the Roads Board Act, 1999.’’ A cabinet statement released Friday indicated.

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The reforms are part of implementation of the changes brought by the 2010 Constitution that ushered a devolved system of government.

The new structure will ensure that over 75 per cent of the roads currently under Kenya Urban Roads Authority are devolved to the county governments.

NEW AGENCY
While the decision might not affect employees at both organisations merged, the top leadership will be saved the anguish given that the two director-generals’ term of office was expiring in two weeks’ time.

A new agency, the Kenya National Rural Roads Authority, will take over the responsibility of developing and managing of national rural roads while money collected for cess and fuel levy will now be managed by the Kenya Roads Fund Board.

The board will be established by amendment of the Kenya Roads Board Act, 1999.

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