Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) across Kenya pocketed Ksh.772.68 million in sitting allowances during the first half of the 2025/26 financial year, according to the latest report from the Controller of Budget (CoB).
The report indicates an absorption rate of 37% against an approved budget of Ksh.2.07 billion, reflecting significant recurrent expenditure despite covering only six months.
County Breakdown Highlights Disparities
The CoB analysis shows notable differences in total allocations and average monthly allowances across counties, raising questions about public fund prioritization:
- Kiambu County topped the total payout at Ksh.36.12 million, though the average monthly sitting allowance per MCA was Ksh.67,654, lower than several other counties.
- Busia County recorded Ksh.35.40 million in total disbursements, with an average monthly allowance of Ksh.109,270 per MCA.
- Bomet County, ranked seventh in total expenditure (Ksh.26.56 million), posted the highest average monthly allowance at Ksh.113,537.
- Garissa County MCAs earned an average of Ksh.102,563, while Kisii and Bungoma averaged Ksh.81,802 and Ksh.86,163, respectively.
- In contrast, Nairobi County, despite total sitting allowances of Ksh.26.24 million, recorded one of the lowest averages per MCA at Ksh.35,282.
- Mandera and Laikipia counties recorded the lowest total expenditures at Ksh.5.39 million and Ksh.5.45 million, with average monthly allowances of Ksh.17,637 and Ksh.41,293, respectively.
Other counties with modest totals, including Trans Nzoia, Isiolo, Turkana, and Kitui, displayed wide variances in per-MCA averages. For instance, Isiolo averaged Ksh.64,000 despite a low overall expenditure, while Kitui MCAs earned just Ksh.23,754.
Public Concerns Amid Economic Hardship
The report comes at a time when many Kenyans are facing high living costs, stagnant wages, and reduced disposable income. The substantial disbursement of non-salary benefits such as sitting allowances is expected to draw public scrutiny, particularly over value for money and fiscal discipline.
If the current absorption trend continues, total MCA sitting allowances could exceed Ksh.1.5 billion by the end of the financial year, underscoring the need for greater transparency and oversight in county expenditure.
