Drama as MCAs demand 700% pay rise, say they're 'paid like cleaners'

Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) are demanding a 700% salary increase, insisting that it should be the bare minimum adjustment implemented by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

Speaking on the final day of the 5th County Assembly Summit in Nairobi, the legislators also resolved to push for the implementation of the Ward Development Fund and financial autonomy from the County Executive, arguing that these measures are essential for effective oversight and service delivery.

With unwavering resolve, the MCAs turned their attention to SRC, insisting that their current earnings no longer reflect the weight of their responsibilities.

Their voices echoed through the summit hall, setting the stage for a fiery standoff over wages, power, and financial independence.

Embu Nominated MCA Yvonne Mati said: “Tunalipwa mishahara kidogo and we do the donkey's work.”

Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Imwatok added: “The margin of our salaries should be at per with MPs in the National Assembly. For instance, we are paid Ksh.80,000, we want to be paid Ksh.560,000, which is what Governors earn. MPs salaries are also at the same level with Ministers.”

Busia Nominated MCA Concepta Omondi chimed in: “We are paid poorly yet we take all the mwananchi burden.”

Migori County Assembly Majority Leader Jared Ouma, on his part, noted: “MPs are getting 35% of the President's salary and MCAs 10 percent of Governor...how do you expect oversight to be done? We are paid like cleaners.”

Then came Ngara MCA Chege Mwaura who also stated: “We are not asking to be favored, but to have the scale and rationale used at the national level to be effected.”

According to a gazette notice released on August 9, 2023, the monthly remuneration for State officers in the County Assembly for the financial year 2023/2024, effective July 1, 2023, is structured as follows:

A Member of County Assembly earns a basic salary of Ksh.92,689, complemented by a house allowance of Ksh.50,000; this brings their gross salary to Ksh.154,481, following a recent salary adjustment of Ksh.11,792.

MCAs also receive a committee sitting allowance of Ksh.3,900 per session, capped at a maximum of Ksh.62,400 per month.

But their demands didn't stop there, the MCAs also pushed for full financial autonomy from the County Executive in order to effectively execute their oversight mandate.

“We cannot effect oversight if the same County Executive is your salary remitter…kindly let us be autonomous, take us to job group E1,” added Embu Nominated MCA Yvonne Mati.

The MCAs are also piling pressure for the swift implementation of the Ward Development Fund, urging lawmakers to table and pass the Bill without delay.