MCAs to Enjoy Sh2 Million Car Grant Each as SRC Approves Proposal

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has approved a proposal to give MCAs a car grant of Sh2 million each.

SRC said the decision was informed by principles of equity and fairness, adding that the facility will not increase the expenditure ceiling since the existing Sh4.5 billion car loan facility for MCAs will simply be converted to a car grant.

As a result, all 2,224 MCAs across the country and 47 county assembly speakers will enjoy a car grant of Sh2 million each.

“Taking into account the principle of equity and fairness, affordability and fiscal sustainability, SRC hereby reviews the car loan benefit as set earlier to a transport facilitation benefit in the form of a grant,” SRC Chairperson Lynn Mengich said in a statement.

County governments have been directed to administratively undertake the conversion of the car loan in transport facilitation benefit in form of a car grant for speakers and MCAs.

The approval comes after President Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga pledged to push the award of a car grant to MCAs, who will play a vital role in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) process.

But the move has angered a section of Kenyans on social media, who wondered why the government would prioritize car grants for MCAs instead of paying healthcare workers.

Former MP Billow Kerrow said: “The duplicity! Only months earlier, SRC rejected allowances for our health workers. This morning, it advised Governors to give MCAs car grants totaling sh 4.5B. What a shame for an independent Constitutional commission that now plays second fiddle to the Executive.”

KResearcher tweeted: “How do you justify giving MCAs car grants, CAR GRANTS!!! in the middle of a pandemic that has caused an economic crisis that has pushed 2 million Kenyans below the poverty line. What level of tone-deafness is this?”

Alvin Mwangi noted: “And the insanity continues, we forgot about problems that doctors are going thru from this pressured health system and giving MCAs Car grants to floss around the area with no bursaries, schools or health centers! Rubbish!!”