Outgoing Governors to Earn Ksh 1.3 Billion As Send-off Package

The outgoing governors in the just concluded elections will earn more than 1.3 billion shillings from the taxpayers as a sendoff package.

According to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) circular, each exiting governor is entitled to a gratuity equivalent to 31 percent of their annual basic pay for every year served. Governors earned a basic monthly salary of 924,000 shillings while their deputies pocketed 621,250 shillings a month in the last year of service.

This means taxpayers will pay each of the county chiefs 17.2 million shillings in gratuity equivalent to 31 percent of their annual basic pay for the five-year term served while their deputies will take home 11.55 million shillings.

In the just concluded August General election, Kenyans sent home 16 governors. A total of 21 governors who were serving for their second and final terms also exited the top county seat.

The 16 one-term governors will cumulatively get 275.2 million shillings while the 21 retiring county bosses go home with 721.83 million shillings. This brings the total cost to 997.03 million shillings.

Meanwhile, the Deputy governors who served under the 16 county chiefs will take home a cumulative amount of 77.28 million shillings, while those who served under 21 governors will receive a total of 201.6 million Kenyan shillings.

Earlier this year, the SRC opposed a move by governors to include additional benefits in their retirement package.

The county bosses argued that just like retired presidents, deputy presidents, chief justices, and parliamentary speakers, they too deserve a monthly pension.

Retiring governors were seeking a monthly take-home of 739,200 shillings and deputy governors 700,000 shillings

They also pushed for additional benefits such as a 3,000cc four-wheel-drive car, fuel allowance, a driver, a personal assistant, and medical cover for local and overseas treatment. The case filed by the Council of Governors is pending in court.

Some of the prominent politicians who lost in the August 9, election include Nderitu Muriithi (Laikipia) Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru) Kiraitu Murungi (Meru), Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma), John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot), Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua), and James Nyoro (Kiambu).

Among those who completed their terms include Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Martin Wambora (Embu), Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni), Mwangi wa Iria (Murang’a), Wycliff Oparanya (Kakamega) and others.

Apart from the governors, taxpayers also pay millions to county executive committee members, chief officers, county secretaries, and county assembly speakers who are set to exit with their first or second-term governors.

A total of 45 new governors were sworn in on Thursday 24^th August 2022, and are expected to come in with new CECs, chief officers, secretaries, and chiefs of staff who are loyal to them.

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