Govt Plans to Upgrade Job Groups for MCAs from D4 to E2
President William Ruto has announced that the government is planning to reclassify the job groups of Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) from job group D4 to E2. The announcement was made during the annual County Assemblies Forum held on Thursday, February 19.
While addressing the gathering, the Head of State explained that the move is based on recommendations from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the constitutional body responsible for setting and reviewing salaries for public officers in Kenya.
He assured MCAs that the government fully supports the SRC’s proposal to adjust their job grading in recognition of their expanded duties and responsibilities.
At the moment, job group D4 is generally allocated to middle-level officers who hold moderate managerial roles within government structures. Officers in this category have administrative duties but operate within limited decision-making authority.
On the other hand, job group E2 is reserved for senior officers who carry heavier responsibilities, exercise greater decision-making powers, and oversee critical governance functions.
If the reclassification is implemented, MCAs will move into a higher professional category. This change is expected to result in increased salaries, higher allowances, and greater official recognition of their role in governance.
According to President Ruto, this adjustment acknowledges the significant responsibilities MCAs shoulder in representing citizens at the grassroots level and acting as a bridge between county governments and the national government.
Currently, MCAs earn a gross monthly salary ranging between approximately Ksh144,375 and Ksh166,588. However, there has been ongoing debate about their remuneration.
In 2022, MCAs petitioned for their salaries to be reviewed upwards to between Ksh400,000 and Ksh500,000 per month, arguing that their current pay does not match the demands and expectations of their office.
“Assured them of our full support for the Salaries and Remuneration Commission recommendations to reclassify their job groups from D4 to E2,” President Ruto said during the forum.
He emphasized that the reclassification is meant to formally recognise the weight of their responsibilities and the central role they play in strengthening devolution across the country.
Pension Scheme for County Assemblies
In addition to the proposed job group upgrade, President Ruto also pledged government support for the County Assemblies Pension Scheme Bill.
The proposed law seeks to establish a mandatory, contributory, and uniform pension scheme for members and staff of all 47 county assemblies in Kenya.
If passed into law, the bill will provide MCAs with structured retirement benefits, including monthly pensions and lump-sum payments upon retirement. The goal is to protect former MCAs and county assembly staff from financial hardship in old age.
The proposed scheme is similar to the retirement benefits currently available to Members of Parliament, ensuring that county representatives also enjoy financial security after leaving office.
Support for Ward Development Fund
The President further reiterated his backing for the Ward Development Fund (WDF). The proposed fund is expected to allocate at least 10 per cent of a county’s total budget specifically for ward-level development projects.
According to President Ruto, the fund will focus on improving essential services at the grassroots, including health facilities, access to clean water, education infrastructure, and road networks.
The aim is to empower MCAs to directly respond to the needs of their local communities and accelerate development at the ward level.
Call to Support National Infrastructure Fund
President Ruto also urged MCAs to support the proposed National Infrastructure Fund. He explained that the fund is designed to unlock Kenya’s untapped economic potential by financing large-scale development projects.
These projects include the construction and upgrading of roads, airports, dams, irrigation systems, and expanding electricity connectivity across the country.
“Additionally, I reaffirmed our commitment to supporting the County Assemblies Pension Scheme Bill and the Ward Development Fund, both currently before the National Assembly,” the President stated.
Overall, the proposed reclassification of MCAs, the establishment of a pension scheme, and the introduction of development funds signal a broader government effort to strengthen devolution and improve governance at the county level.
If implemented, these measures are expected to significantly enhance the working conditions, financial security, and operational capacity of Members of County Assemblies across Kenya.
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