Fresh MPs’ pay rise demands anger activists, term it a greedy move
The salary increase will be reflected in MPs' payslips as a fixed monthly mileage allowance, in addition to travel reimbursement claims that legislators file based on the distance from the capital to their rural constituencies.
Human rights activists have expressed their displeasure over the decision of Members of Parliament to pressure the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) into allowing them to receive substantial new allowances, which will cost Kenyan taxpayers billions of shillings.
Under the new arrangement, each MP will receive a pay rise of Sh366,011 from Tuesday, 1 April 2025, marking yet another salary increase for legislators who have repeatedly pressured the SRC to enhance their perks, despite the country’s difficult economic situation.
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Mukuru Justice Social Centre, a grassroots rights movement led by its Coordinator, Anami Daudi, described the move as insensitive and absurd, particularly at a time when ordinary Kenyans are grappling with job losses, unemployment, and financial hardship.
“First and foremost, as a country, we are stuck with a government that is failing to deliver essential services to the people, yet it is unfortunate that Members of Parliament are pushing for an additional Sh4.4 billion,” said Anami.
According to the organisation, the role of MPs is representation—an area in which, they argue, legislators have failed. They claim that the resources allocated to MPs have made them neglect their primary responsibilities of oversight and legislation.
“As a country, we lack clear structures to hold Members of Parliament accountable. That is why we need to rethink a people-centred representation roadmap. It is easier to impeach a governor than to recall an MP or MCA. The sovereignty of the people is undermined. The Kenyan Parliament is dominated by vultures who have no one to report to or hold them to account,” Anami added.
The salary increase will be reflected in MPs' payslips as a fixed monthly mileage allowance, in addition to travel reimbursement claims that legislators file based on the distance from the capital to their rural constituencies.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, speaking on Saturday at the burial of the son of Dagoretti South MP Beatrice Elachi, accused the media of misreporting facts about the fresh allowances.
“The media wants to turn the public against us. It should be understood that the work of MPs is very different from that of the SRC,” said Sifuna.
The Eastleigh Voice has established that the commission has granted all 416 MPs and senators a fixed mileage allowance of Sh366,011 per month. This translates to Sh152.26 million per month or Sh1.82 billion per year.
The new allocation undermines government austerity measures. Last month, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei called for closer cooperation between the SRC and the Public Service Commission (PSC) to address the growing wage bill, which is threatening to overshadow development spending.
Koskei raised concerns that excessive wage allocations are diverting funds from essential development projects. He emphasised that while the SRC controls wage growth and the PSC oversees staffing levels, both agencies must work together to ensure a sustainable wage bill without affecting service delivery.
“I urge you to reflect together. If you work jointly, the public sector wage bill will remain sustainable without compromising service delivery,” he said.
According to the SRC, the country's wage bill to ordinary revenue ratio declined from 54.77% in the 2020/2021 financial year to 47.06% in 2021/2022 and is estimated to have reduced further to 46.64% and 46.23% in 2022/2023 and 2023/2024, respectively.
Article 230 (4) (a) of the Constitution of Kenya empowers the SRC to review and set the remuneration and benefits for members at both national and county government levels.
The SRC conducts periodic reviews of the salaries of State Officers, including Members of Parliament. The Third Remuneration and Benefits Review Cycle covering the 2021/2022 to 2024/2025 financial years forms the basis for the current salaries and benefits for MPs.
Current salaries and benefits for MPs
The salary of the Leader of the Majority and Leader of the Minority in the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years is a gross monthly salary of Sh784,768. This includes a basic salary of Sh470,861, a house allowance of Sh150,000, an official commuter allowance, and a salary market adjustment of Sh163,907.
In the 2024/2025 financial year, this salary will increase to Sh800,019, with a basic salary of Sh480,011, a house allowance of Sh150,000, an official commuter allowance, and a salary market adjustment of Sh163,907.
The salary of an MP or senator in 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 is a gross monthly salary of Sh725,502, consisting of a basic salary of Sh435,301, a house allowance of Sh150,000, an official commuter allowance, and a salary market adjustment of Sh140,201.
In the 2024/2025 financial year, this will increase to Sh739,600, comprising a basic salary of Sh443,760, a house allowance of Sh150,000, an official commuter allowance, and a salary market adjustment of Sh145,840.
Additional allowances and perks
Committee sitting allowances:
Chairpersons receive Sh15,000 per sitting, up to a maximum of Sh240,000 per month.
Vice-chairpersons receive Sh12,000 per sitting, up to a maximum of Sh192,000 per month.
Members receive Sh7,500 per sitting, up to a maximum of Sh120,000 per month.
Official transport:
MPs receive a motor vehicle reimbursement of Sh7,550,000 to purchase a car for official duties. This is payable once per parliamentary term.
MPs bear any additional cost beyond the reimbursed amount. The Parliamentary Service Commission will operationalise the reimbursement administratively.
Car maintenance allowance: Each MP receives Sh356,525 per month for car maintenance.
Mileage claims: MPs are reimbursed for one return journey per week from the National Assembly (Nairobi) to their constituency at a rate of Sh152.6 per kilometre.
The claimable mileage allowance is zoned into two categories, based on the actual distance from Nairobi to respective constituencies.
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