July 17, 2025

Kenyan activist and public finance watchdog Gloria Orwoba has ignited national debate after revealing that some Members of Parliament (MPs) are claiming travel allowances amounting to Ksh.160,000 per day. The disclosure has sparked public outrage over excessive perks enjoyed by elected officials at the expense of struggling taxpayers.

Lavish Claims Hidden in Plain Sight

According to Orwoba, the combined cost of daily subsistence allowances (DSAs) and mileage reimbursements enables MPs to earn staggering amounts on local and international travel. In one example, MPs can receive up to Ksh.66,000 per day in per diem when traveling abroad, particularly to destinations like the United States, Europe, or the Middle East. When coupled with generous domestic mileage rates—up to Ksh.152.60 per kilometre—the final tally can easily exceed Ksh.160,000 per day.

“It’s appalling,” Orwoba said in a recent statement. “At a time when millions of Kenyans live on less than Ksh.300 a day, our legislators are pocketing hundreds of thousands in fake or unmonitored allowances.”

She went on to describe the current system as “designed for abuse,” citing weak oversight and lack of accountability from agencies like the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).

Mileage: The Hidden Goldmine

The biggest loophole lies in mileage claims, which are reimbursed at Ksh.152.60 per kilometre. MPs are allowed to claim for weekly round trips between Nairobi and their constituencies. For those representing far-flung areas, this can translate to over Ksh.462,000 per month—without having to produce proof of travel.

A recent audit revealed some MPs submitting mileage claims equivalent to multiple round trips per week, despite Parliament sitting just three days a week and most committee meetings being held virtually or in Nairobi.

“We’ve seen lawmakers claiming they travel 1,000 kilometres a week, every week, even during recess. Who’s checking these trips?” Orwoba questioned.

No Receipts, No Records

Critics argue that the travel allowance system operates largely on trust, with no requirement for receipts, fuel logs, or actual evidence of travel. International trips, often for conferences or “benchmarking” missions, are particularly notorious for inflated costs, with MPs reportedly staying in five-star hotels and pocketing unspent allowances.

“What’s worse is that many of these trips are unnecessary. It’s just taxpayer-funded luxury disguised as legislative duty,” said a source at a Nairobi-based anti-corruption NGO.

Taxpayers Bear the Burden

The revelations come at a time when ordinary Kenyans are facing soaring living costs, high unemployment, and reduced government services due to austerity measures. The idea that public officials are earning six-figure daily allowances has enraged many.

Social media erupted with criticism:

“Kenyans earn peanuts while their MPs fly business class and get paid like CEOs,” one user wrote on X.
“MPs should be paid based on attendance and deliverables, not distance,” another posted.

Calls for Reform

Orwoba is now leading a growing movement demanding:

• A review and cap on travel allowances

• Mandatory proof-of-travel documentation

• Real-time public disclosure of MP expenses

• An independent audit of all claims filed in the past three years

She has vowed to push for a formal petition to Parliament, backed by civil society groups and frustrated citizens.

“Transparency is not optional. If they have nothing to hide, they should be willing to account for every shilling,” she said.

Conclusion

As public trust in elected officials continues to erode, Orwoba’s revelations are intensifying scrutiny on the privileges enjoyed by Kenya’s political elite. Whether this will lead to real reforms or fade into another forgotten scandal remains to be seen. But for now, the public has spoken: the days of unchecked allowances must come to an end.

By ChatGPT Newsroom | July 17, 2025

Kenyan activist and public finance watchdog Gloria Orwoba has ignited national debate after revealing that some Members of Parliament (MPs) are claiming travel allowances amounting to Ksh.160,000 per day. The disclosure has sparked public outrage over excessive perks enjoyed by elected officials at the expense of struggling taxpayers.

Lavish Claims Hidden in Plain Sight

According to Orwoba, the combined cost of daily subsistence allowances (DSAs) and mileage reimbursements enables MPs to earn staggering amounts on local and international travel. In one example, MPs can receive up to Ksh.66,000 per day in per diem when traveling abroad, particularly to destinations like the United States, Europe, or the Middle East. When coupled with generous domestic mileage rates—up to Ksh.152.60 per kilometre—the final tally can easily exceed Ksh.160,000 per day.

“It’s appalling,” Orwoba said in a recent statement. “At a time when millions of Kenyans live on less than Ksh.300 a day, our legislators are pocketing hundreds of thousands in fake or unmonitored allowances.”

She went on to describe the current system as “designed for abuse,” citing weak oversight and lack of accountability from agencies like the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).

Mileage: The Hidden Goldmine

The biggest loophole lies in mileage claims, which are reimbursed at Ksh.152.60 per kilometre. MPs are allowed to claim for weekly round trips between Nairobi and their constituencies. For those representing far-flung areas, this can translate to over Ksh.462,000 per month—without having to produce proof of travel.

A recent audit revealed some MPs submitting mileage claims equivalent to multiple round trips per week, despite Parliament sitting just three days a week and most committee meetings being held virtually or in Nairobi.

“We’ve seen lawmakers claiming they travel 1,000 kilometres a week, every week, even during recess. Who’s checking these trips?” Orwoba questioned.

No Receipts, No Records

Critics argue that the travel allowance system operates largely on trust, with no requirement for receipts, fuel logs, or actual evidence of travel. International trips, often for conferences or “benchmarking” missions, are particularly notorious for inflated costs, with MPs reportedly staying in five-star hotels and pocketing unspent allowances.

“What’s worse is that many of these trips are unnecessary. It’s just taxpayer-funded luxury disguised as legislative duty,” said a source at a Nairobi-based anti-corruption NGO.

Taxpayers Bear the Burden

The revelations come at a time when ordinary Kenyans are facing soaring living costs, high unemployment, and reduced government services due to austerity measures. The idea that public officials are earning six-figure daily allowances has enraged many.

Social media erupted with criticism:

“Kenyans earn peanuts while their MPs fly business class and get paid like CEOs,” one user wrote on X.
“MPs should be paid based on attendance and deliverables, not distance,” another posted.

Calls for Reform

Orwoba is now leading a growing movement demanding:

• A review and cap on travel allowances

• Mandatory proof-of-travel documentation

• Real-time public disclosure of MP expenses

• An independent audit of all claims filed in the past three years

She has vowed to push for a formal petition to Parliament, backed by civil society groups and frustrated citizens.

“Transparency is not optional. If they have nothing to hide, they should be willing to account for every shilling,” she said.

Conclusion

As public trust in elected officials continues to erode, Orwoba’s revelations are intensifying scrutiny on the privileges enjoyed by Kenya’s political elite. Whether this will lead to real reforms or fade into another forgotten scandal remains to be seen. But for now, the public has spoken: the days of unchecked allowances must come to an end.