Last Updated on May 23, 2022
Would you like to know about MCA Salary in Kenya? Then you are on the right platform as we are going to share with you details about MCA Kenya Salary Structure 2022.
The counties of Kenya are geographical units envisioned by the 2010 Constitution of Kenya as the units of devolved government. The powers are provided in Articles 191 and 192 and in the fourth schedule of the Constitution of Kenya and the County Governments Act of 2012. The counties are also single-member constituencies for the election of members of parliament to the Senate of Kenya and special women members of parliament to the National Assembly of Kenya. As of the 2013 general elections, there are 47 counties whose size and boundaries are based on the 47 legally recognized Districts of Kenya. Following the re-organization of Kenya’s national administration, counties were integrated into a new national administration with the national government posting county commissioners to represent it at the counties.
MCA is an abbreviation meaning “Member of County Assembly” and these county members are the most important components in the successful running of county governments in Kenya.
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Qualifications for election as a member of the county assembly
(1) Unless disqualified under clause (2), a person is eligible for election as a member of a county assembly if the person–
(a) is registered as a voter;
(b) satisfies any educational, moral, and ethical requirements prescribed by this Constitution or an Act of Parliament; and
(c) is either–
(i) nominated by a political party; or
(ii) an independent candidate supported by at least five hundred registered voters in the ward concerned.
(2) A person is disqualified from being elected a member of a county assembly if the person–
(a) is a State officer or other public officer, other than a member of the county assembly;
(b) has, at any time within the five years immediately before the date of the election, held office as a member of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission;
(c) has not been a citizen of Kenya for at least the ten years immediately preceding the date of the election;
(d) is of unsound mind;
(e) is an undischarged bankrupt;
(f) is serving a sentence of imprisonment of at least six months; or
(g) has been found, in accordance with any law, to have misused or abused a State office or public office or to have contravened Chapter Six.
(3) A person is not disqualified under clause (2) unless all possibility of appeal or review of the relevant sentence or decision has been exhausted.
MCA Kenya Salary
Members of the County Assembly (MCA) are among the highest-paid politicians in Kenya. The salaries of MCAs are even more than what doctors and lawyers earn. Besides the salaries, MCAs also earn benefits and allowances in excess of Ksh 300,000 per month.
Salaries of MCAs, Civil Servants, MPs, Senators, Teachers and other civil servants are determined by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission. According to this commission, an MCA is expected to earn a basic salary of Ksh Sh123,750 but after factoring in mileage allowances, and other allowances, he takes home Ksh 500,000.
In 2013, the basic salary of MCAs was fixed at Ksh 79,000 but after protests from the MCAs, it was adjusted upwards to Ksh 123,000. But do not be deceived that this is the amount these politicians earn; according to our source, each MCA pockets close to Ksh800,000 per month, this is due to many meetings they hold which attract allowances and also the visits they make to other countries.
A report from the Controller of Budget reveals that on average each MCA in Nairobi is paid Sh262,088 per month. In contrast, their Isiolo counterparts earn just Sh17,219.
Other big earners are in famine-stricken West Pokot (Sh238, 564), Nyamira (Sh237,037) and Uasin Gishu (Sh196,748).
Even though the salaries vary across counties, the minimum amount an MCA can take home is Ksh 400,000 per month-which is why most Kenyans have opted to vie for this prestigious position.
Role Of Members Of The County Assembly (Mcas)
- The MCA maintains close contact with the electorate and consults them on important matters before or under discussion in the County Assembly.
- The MCA present views, opinions, and proposals of the electorate to the County Assembly;
- The MCA attend sessions of the County Assembly and its committees;
- The MCA provides a linkage between the county assembly and the electorate on public service delivery; and
- The MCA extend professional knowledge, experience, or specialized knowledge to an issue for discussion in the County Assembly
- The MCA should not directly or indirectly be involved in the executive functions of the County Government and its administration; or in the delivery of services as if the Member in question were an officer or employee of the County Government
Roles Of The County Assembly
The county assembly is the law-making organ of the county government in Kenya. The county is one of the state organs that have been delegated power by the county government.
There are 47 county assemblies in Kenya and are unique to each of the 47 counties. Before establishing the role of an MCA in Kenya, it is important to be familiar with the role of the County Assembly in Kenya because they represent the MCAs. Below is listed the roles of the County Assembly which includes the following:
- Approving the county government’s expenditure and financial blueprints.
- The county vets and assesses nominees for the appointment of county public offices.
- The county approves loaning’s by the county government.
- Receives and approves plans and policies.
- The county assembly makes by-laws and passing of bills into laws that are necessary for the smooth and effective running of the county government and any other county businesses.
- Oversee the County Executive Committee operations and other Executive organs.
- Exercises oversight over the County Executive Committee and other county executive organs.
- They facilitate public participation and involvement in legislation and other county assembly and its committee’s businesses. This objective is achieved through the organizing of public forums and collecting the electorate’s wishes, views, and opinions by the MCAs.
- The legislative authority of a county is vested in and exercised by, its County Assembly.