The first half of the 2025/2026 financial year has revealed striking differences in MCA sitting allowances across Kenyan counties. According to a report by the Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) received a total of KSh 772.68 million in sitting allowances during the six months.
While the national average monthly sitting allowance per MCA was KSh 67,654, several counties paid far above this benchmark.
These figures highlight disparities in public finance management and absorption rates across counties, prompting debates about resource prioritization.
Detailed Analysis of MCA Sitting Allowances Across Counties
During the period under review, counties demonstrated significant variation in both total spending and average monthly allowances for MCAs. While Kiambu County recorded the highest total expenditure at KSh 36 million, Bomet County led in average monthly payouts per MCA, showcasing a high absorption rate of allocated funds. The data reflects not just the financial strength of counties but also their approach to compensating elected legislators.
Top 10 Counties by MCA Sitting Allowances
Below is a summary of counties with the highest MCA sitting allowances in the first half of 2025/2026:
| Rank | County | Total MCA Sitting Allowances (KSh) | Average Monthly Allowance per MCA (KSh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kiambu | 36,120,000 | 67,654 |
| 2 | Busia | 35,400,000 | 109,270 |
| 3 | Kisii | 34,000,000 | 81,802 |
| 4 | Bungoma | 32,000,000 | 86,163 |
| 5 | Garissa | 29,000,000 | 102,563 |
| 6 | Meru | 29,000,000 | 69,759 |
| 7 | Bomet | 26,560,000 | 113,537 |
| 8 | Nairobi | 26,000,000 | 35,282 |
| 9 | Kakamega | 22,000,000 | 41,756 |
| 10 | Kisumu | 21,000,000 | 74,684 |
As seen in the table, while Kiambu leads in total expenditure, Bomet County MCAs earned the highest average monthly allowances at KSh 113,537, indicating more funds reaching legislators individually.
On the other hand, Nairobi County, despite ranking eighth in total spending, paid some of the lowest monthly allowances at KSh 35,282, showing a stark contrast in compensation strategies.
Factors Driving Variations in MCA Allowances
Several factors explain the differences in MCA sitting allowances across counties:
- Absorption Rates: Counties like Bomet and Busia have higher absorption rates, ensuring allocated funds are fully utilized.
- County Priorities: Some counties focus spending on development and service delivery rather than high MCA allowances, affecting monthly payouts.
- Number of MCAs: Counties with more legislators tend to have lower average allowances if total budgets are evenly distributed.
- Financial Discipline: Effective budget management ensures allowances are paid promptly, affecting the average figures reported.
Beyond allowances, the report revealed counties spent over KSh 822 million on foreign travel within six months. County assemblies accounted for KSh 511 million, or 62% of total travel expenses, while executives spent KSh 310 million. Lamu and Meru were among the highest spenders, mainly for training and benchmarking trips, despite calls from President William Ruto for austerity.
This breakdown not only highlights disparities in MCA compensation but also raises broader questions about financial management at county levels. Citizens are increasingly scrutinizing how resources are allocated between administrative costs and service delivery.
Conclusion
The first half of 2025/2026 shows a clear pattern among Kenyan counties regarding MCA sitting allowances. Bomet and Busia stand out for high average allowances, while Kiambu and Kisii lead in total expenditure.
Understanding these figures provides insight into county-level fiscal management and prioritization of public funds. As counties move into the second half of the fiscal year, stakeholders and taxpayers will watch closely how funds are managed, ensuring fair compensation for MCAs without compromising service delivery to residents.
