A report by Mzalendo Trust criticizes the support and oversight mechanisms for Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), suggesting that underfunding and multi-layered county oversight are leading to financial mismanagement and impunity within county administrations.
The report points out that the monthly Sh140,000 salary cap for MCAs, along with Sh91,000 for support staff—set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC)—is insufficient for effective oversight. It recommends enhanced remuneration, skilled support staff, and dedicated ward offices to improve MCAs’ capacity to interact with constituents and conduct research.
Notably, the allocation for hiring support staff has been reportedly misused, with MCAs often hiring unqualified partisan supporters, affecting the quality of their work. Additionally, Baringo County Assembly Speaker Vincent Kemboi noted that inadequate pay makes MCAs vulnerable to influence by higher-paid county executives. In the Northeastern region, Wajir Deputy Speaker Abdisalan Mohamud observed that clan politics further complicates oversight, with governors often marginalizing MCAs from other clans.
