A recent report by the Controller of Budget has revealed that Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) across Kenya collected a total of Sh1.57 billion in sitting allowances during the 2024/2025 financial year.
The figure represents 87 per cent of the approved Sh1.80 billion allocated for MCA sitting allowances, showing a slight increase from the 86 per cent spent in the previous year.
“The County Assemblies spent Sh1.57 billion on MCA’s sitting allowances against an approved budget allocation of Sh1.80 billion during the reporting period,” the report stated. This expenditure marks a minor rise from FY 2023/24, when Sh1.59 billion was disbursed to MCAs.
The report, titled ‘County Governments Budget Implementation Review Report (BIRR) for August 2025’, also provides a county-by-county breakdown of sitting allowance spending.
Busia County topped the list, spending Sh64.4 million, followed by Baringo with Sh50.4 million, Homa Bay at Sh45 million, Embu at Sh30.6 million, and Elgeyo Marakwet at Sh28.1 million.
At the lower end of the spectrum, Bungoma County spent Sh27.5 million, Garissa Sh20.3 million, Isiolo Sh18.7 million, Tana River Sh17.5 million, and Lamu Sh15.9 million.
Domestic and foreign travel costs soar
The report also highlighted high travel expenses among county officials, with Nairobi, Machakos, Kitui, and Mombasa identified as the top spenders.
Nairobi County recorded Sh630.3 million on domestic travel alone, split between Sh271.3 million from the County Assembly and Sh359.1 million from the executive.
Machakos County spent Sh532 million on domestic travel and an additional Sh99 million on foreign trips to countries including Brazil, Dubai, Albania, and China. Kitui County’s total travel spending reached Sh709.95 million, with Ksh536 million on local trips and Sh72 million on international engagements.
Mombasa County used Sh112 million for foreign travel, sending officials to Turkey, Spain, South Korea, Japan, and the United States.
The report demonstrates how county governments are managing allocations for MCA allowances and travel, providing insight into spending patterns across the country.
