The US government has increased the per diem rates for its officials working in Nairobi.
The latest rates published by the US State Department shows that the per diem for employees in Nairobi has been raised to $339 (Sh34,239), a 3.67 percent increase.
Before the review, the US employees in Nairobi were receiving $327 (about Sh33,027.33).
The Business Daily reports that the upward review signals Nairobi’s standing as one of the most expensive cities to work and live in Africa.
Nairobi’s rates are higher than those of many western cities such as Ottawa’s $316 (about Sh31,916.32).
In the region, only Uganda’s capital Kampala $340 (Sh34340.34) ranks higher than Nairobi
Rwanda’s Kigali rates stand at $289 (about Sh29,189.29) and $309 (about Sh31209.31) for Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam.
Nairobi ranks in the same group as top world cities including Beijing $346 (about Sh34,946.35) and Berlin at $338 (about Sh34,138.34).
Per Diem is a type of pay given to employees for extra expenses incurred when on assignments away from the duty station.
“The maximum per diem rates for foreign countries are based on costs reported in the Hotel and Restaurant Survey submitted by US government posts in foreign areas,” says the US State Department in the update.
