Kenyan lawmakers earn a lower basic salary than members of the US Congress. A long list of allowances and benefits makes up the difference, according to a comparison Pulse Live Kenya published on Wednesday. Both countries have a two-chamber parliament. In each, members of both houses earn the same pay.
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) sets the gross monthly pay of Kenyan MPs and senators at KSh 739,600. That covers a KSh 443,760 basic salary, a KSh 150,000 house allowance and a KSh 145,840 market adjustment. The Speakers of both houses earn KSh 1,208,362 a month. Their deputies earn KSh 966,690, and Majority and Minority Leaders KSh 800,019.
The extras add up fast. Each lawmaker gets KSh 356,525 a month for car maintenance and KSh 15,000 for airtime. A mileage allowance of KSh 366,011 comes under a fixed arrangement introduced in 2025. Committee members earn KSh 7,500 per sitting, capped at KSh 120,000 a month. Chairs earn KSh 15,000 per sitting and vice chairs KSh 12,000. A Special Parliamentary Duty Allowance adds up to KSh 150,000.
Pulse reported that a Kenyan legislator takes home at least KSh 1,484,633 a month. That figure assumes just one committee sitting a month, which the outlet says is not the case in practice. Each term, MPs and senators also get a KSh 7.55 million car grant. They can take a mortgage of up to KSh 35 million at 3% interest. Their medical cover includes KSh 10 million for inpatient care and KSh 300,000 for outpatient care. They pay tax on salary and allowances, plus SHIF and Affordable Housing Levy deductions.
In the US, members of Congress earn a flat $174,000 a year, about KSh 1,884,709 a month by Pulse's conversion. According to the outlet, the Speakers earn $223,500 a year. US lawmakers get no sitting, car maintenance or airtime allowances, no car grants and no mortgages. They also buy their own health insurance.
Instead, they get a Members' Representational Allowance to run an office. It covers staff, travel between Washington DC and their home district, and office costs. It cannot be used for personal or campaign spending. Pulse noted that US congressional pay has not been reviewed since 2009. Members also vote against moves to raise it, the outlet said.