Members of County Assembly who have been up in arms will likely see a pay rise, in the coming financial year if the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) goes through with proposals on wage reviews.
During its presentation to County Assembly Service Boards on the third public service remuneration and benefits review cycle, the SRC revealed a Ksh.10,000 increase in MCA gross salaries.
Currently, County Assembly members (MCAs) receive a monthly remuneration of Ksh.144,375, along with a committee sitting allowance of Ksh.62,400. However, in the 2023/2024 Financial Year, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has recommended an increase in gross salaries for MCAs to Ksh.154,481, while the sitting allowance will remain unchanged. Furthermore, in the 2024/2025 financial year, salaries will undergo another upward adjustment, reaching Ksh.164,588.
However, the plenary sitting allowances, which was one of the main requests made by MCAs, were not granted, leading to the shutdown of county assemblies when the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) threatened to remove it entirely.
Nonetheless, several benefits have been preserved, such as Official Transport, Medical Benefits, Retirement Benefits, Car Loans, and Mortgage Benefits, among others.
MCAs are also advocating for other demands, including the reinstatement of the Ksh.2 million car grant and the establishment of the Ward Development Fund, which they want to be legally mandated at 40 percent of the County Development Budget.
Furthermore, they are urging the creation of a County Affirmative Action Fund specifically designated for nominated MCAs. Additionally, the ward representatives are seeking a revision of the Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) policy to abolish the 30 percent tax imposed on their car reimbursements.
As of now, the following counties have experienced shutdowns in response to these issues: Narok, Mandera, Kericho, Embu, Tana River, Kisii, Marsabit, Makueni, Wajir, Garissa, Mombasa, Kwale, Nakuru, Kajiado, Nyamira, Laikipia, West Pokot, and Samburu.
