DATA POINT: New mileage allowance for MPs' set to cost taxpayers Ksh.1.8B yearly

On March 20, 2025, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) Chief Executive Officer Anne Gitau wrote to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), communicating some changes on how each Member of Parliament would benefit from the fixed mileage allowance.

From April 1, 2025, all 416 MPs in the National Assembly and the Senate would be entitled to a mileage allowance of Ksh.366,011, translating to Ksh.152.3 million monthly and Ksh.1.82 billion yearly cost on taxpayers.

Previously, MPs had to claim the mileage based on the distance covered from Parliament to their constituencies. With the new resolutions, the lawmakers will receive the fixed mileage allowance and an additional mileage allowance based on the distance of their constituency.

"This letter supersedes any other review and setting of mileage allowance and claimable mileage allowance for Members of Parliament," read part of the letter.

As per the new SRC structure, MPs whose constituencies are beyond a radius of 205 kilometres from Parliament can claim at a rate of Ksh.152.6 per kilometre for one return journey per week.

A monthly mileage claim is calculated as the maximum return journey in kilometres x 52 weeks x 152.6 = total/12.

For instance, the Moyale MP, whose return trip from Moyale to Parliament and back is 1,556 kilometres can claim Ksh.1.03 million monthly.

In another instance, the Gatanga MP, whose return trip constitutes 116km will be entitled to an additional Ksh.76,706 monthly claim aside from the new fixed mileage allowance.

However, MPs from neighbouring constituencies have raised concerns about the resolutions, arguing that they may end up traveling more frequently and covering greater distances.

They felt disadvantaged, citing that legislators from distant areas can claim up to Ksh.1 million and may not travel by road.

A report by the Auditor General covering the Financial Year 2023/2024, uncovered irregularities in the MPs’ mileage claims, citing a lack of adequate documentation to verify that an MP had travelled.

The report raised questions that lack of verification would lead to loss of funds.