Kenya Roads Board names first woman to lead multi-billion road fund

The Kenya Roads Board (KRB) has officially appointed Judith Otsyula as its new Director General, following a competitive recruitment process. The announcement, confirmed on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, marks a significant shift in the leadership of the country's road sub-sector. Otsyula becomes the first woman to hold the top executive position at the board since its inception under the KRB Act of 1999.

KRB Chairperson, Aisha Jumwa Katana, stated that the board has full confidence in Otsyula's ability to drive the mandate of the organization. Otsyula is a veteran in the transport and infrastructure space, bringing over 20 years of experience in senior leadership, strategic programme management, and institutional governance to the role. Her appointment is viewed as a move to strengthen the board’s capacity in managing the sustainable financing of the national road network.

Otsyula takes over from Engineer Isaac Maina, who has been serving in an acting capacity. Her entry into the executive suite comes at a time when the KRB is managing several high-stakes financial programmes. As the Director General, she will be the primary administrator of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) and the Kenya Roads Board Fund. These funds are critical for the upkeep of the nation’s entire road inventory, distributed across various agencies including the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).

One of the most pressing tasks on her desk will be the oversight of the fuel levy securitization programme. This initiative is designed to unlock sustainable financing for road development, rehabilitation, and maintenance by leveraging current collections to secure long-term funding. The success of this programme is essential for maintaining the momentum of major infrastructure projects currently underway across the 47 counties.

Beyond the financial administration, Otsyula will be responsible for overseeing the Annual Public Roads Programme (APRP). This document outlines the planned maintenance activities for all public roads in Kenya for each financial year. She is also expected to serve as a key advisor to the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport on matters concerning road infrastructure policy and the general coordination of the road network.

The appointment was part of a broader series of leadership changes within the transport ministry’s various authorities. On the same day, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) confirmed Engineer Luka Kipchumba Kimeli as its Director General after he served in an acting capacity since July 2025. Additionally, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) named Jackson Magondu as its new Director General for a three-year term.

The board noted that Otsyula has a proven record of delivering infrastructure initiatives and strengthening public sector institutions. Her leadership is expected to focus on enhancing institutional performance and ensuring that road maintenance funds are utilized efficiently to improve national connectivity. This transition comes as the government prioritizes the completion of major highway projects and the expansion of rural access roads to support economic growth.

The Kenya Roads Board remains a central pillar in the infrastructure sector, acting as the bridge between the collection of fuel levies and the physical execution of road works by the respective authorities. With Otsyula now at the helm, the industry will be watching closely to see how the board navigates the challenges of rising construction costs and the demand for a more resilient road network.