On Friday, April 14, over 1,500 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) issued new demands to President William Ruto and his administration, citing a lack of better recognition, respect, and equity in their working conditions.
Despite the government’s struggles to pay MPs and civil servants, MCAs complained that they were being treated unfairly, particularly in terms of salary packages and corresponding allowances.
Ward Representatives decried the disparity in working conditions between themselves and Governors, Members of Parliament, Senators, and the President.
“MCAs’ office operations are inadequately funded, with a lack of ward funds for elected members and an affirmative fund for nominated members.
“This hinders their ability to carry out their duties effectively and serve their constituents,” read the statement by MCAs.
MCAs claimed that a lack of proper representation of their interests had resulted in them receiving inadequate salaries in comparison to their national government counterparts.
The MCAs also revealed that they are unable to effectively oversee governors who earn millions of money, despite the fact that they hold high-ranking positions but are paid less than deputy directors in county governments.
Ward Representatives were puzzled as to why they were not entitled to a pension like their colleagues in the National Assembly and the Senate.
“For instance, the Ksh109,000 quarterly ward imprest is expected to pay office rent and 3 staff members for the MCAs.
“Which office will you rent at a maximum of Ksh 18,000 monthly in Kitusuru, Parklands, Karen, Kileleshwa, and Kilimani and still use the remaining Ksh18,000 to pay 3 employees?
“This amount might be appropriate in some far-flung rural counties but not in Nairobi where even a bedsitter in Kileleshwa is rented at not less than Ksh30,000 per month,” the MCAs wondered.
The MCAs stated that they were putting together a County Assemblies Service Commission to look into their concerns.
