County Assembly members may soon see a reduction in their earnings from allowances as the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) proposes limiting the number of committees in assemblies to 18.
The initiative is part of broader measures to control rising administrative costs at the county level, especially spending on committee meetings, which have become a significant source of income for ward representatives.
Some county assemblies currently operate up to 27 committees, allowing MCAs to serve on multiple panels and earn sitting allowances, sometimes for committees performing similar functions.
A report submitted to the Senate by CRA highlighted significant disparities in committee numbers and structures across the 47 counties, with assemblies having anywhere between nine and 27 committees.
“CRA’s analysis showed wide variations in the number of committees, ranging from nine to 27, with no standardised structure across counties,” the commission stated.
The report also pointed out that some assemblies have internal or overlapping committees, including catering, welfare, or loan committees, which either duplicate roles or unnecessarily increase administrative costs without adding value.
CRA further noted inconsistencies in committee names and a lack of alignment with county executive departments, a situation that undermines oversight and accountability.
To address these issues, CRA recommends capping committees at a maximum of 18 per assembly, while allowing flexibility for counties to operate fewer committees based on their size and functional needs.
“In addition, committees should be aligned to the county executive departments they oversee to strengthen accountability and reduce duplication,” the commission added.
The proposed cap could have a direct impact on MCA earnings. Currently, an ordinary MCA receives Sh3,000 per sitting for each committee meeting attended, making committee assignments a key supplement to their income.
The County Assemblies Forum (CAF) has, however, urged careful consultation before implementing the proposal. CAF secretary general Mwaura Chege said assemblies are open to restructuring committees but stressed that the unique circumstances of each county must be considered.
He noted that two main factors determine committee numbers: the size of the assembly and the number of departments in the county executive.
“The confusion needs to be sorted out by the executives. Assemblies form committees based on the number of departments they are supposed to oversee,” Mwaura said.
