The Controller of Budget has released a new report that puts the spending habits of county assemblies under sharp focus. According to the findings, Members of County Assemblies across Kenya received more than Ksh1.5 billion in sitting allowances during the 2023/2024 financial year.
This figure has drawn attention because it raises questions about fiscal responsibility and whether the money was used in a way that truly benefits citizens.
The report explains that most of the allowances were paid for committee meetings. However, many of these meetings were poorly structured, lacked meaningful agendas, or failed to produce clear results.
In some counties, hundreds of meetings were held within short periods, creating suspicion that the sittings were more about allowances than genuine legislative work.
This has fueled concerns about inflated claims and the misuse of public resources at a time when counties are struggling to deliver basic services.
Controller of Budget Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o acknowledged that the law allows MCAs to receive sitting allowances, but she emphasized that the way the system is being used shows signs of abuse. She pointed out that there is a need to strike a balance between allowing legislators to do their work and ensuring that public funds are spent wisely.
The report highlighted counties such as Nairobi, Kiambu, Kakamega, and Mombasa as some of the top spenders, with certain assemblies even going beyond the maximum allowance ceilings set for them.
Questions were also raised about accountability, as some counties did not provide proper attendance records or minutes to show that the meetings actually took place.
The revelations have not gone unnoticed by civil society groups and budget watchdogs.
Organizations such as the Institute of Public Finance have urged the government to adopt stricter measures to stop unnecessary spending. Suggestions include introducing automated systems to monitor attendance and linking payment of allowances to actual performance and outcomes.
Their argument is that taxpayers expect transparency and value for money, and that scarce resources should be redirected to development projects rather than continuous meetings that yield little progress.
In response to the findings, the Senate is preparing to summon county assembly clerks and finance officers to explain the irregularities.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has been called upon to step in and investigate cases that may involve collusion or outright fraud.
These steps reflect a wider concern about the effectiveness of devolved governance in Kenya, especially at a time when the country is dealing with high public debt and struggling to meet service delivery needs in health, education, and infrastructure.
The report sends a strong message to county leaders that accountability must begin from the local level. If county assemblies are to gain public trust, they must demonstrate discipline in managing funds and ensure that every shilling is used for the benefit of citizens.
The debate around the allowances is therefore not just about numbers but about the future of devolution and whether it can truly deliver on its promise of bringing services closer to the people.
