Top public servants costing taxpayer Sh123m per month

The Public Service is fast becoming a lucrative employment sector with enhanced salaries for State officers.

A look at the wage bill of 15 independent commissions reveals attractive salary packages comparable to those paid CEOs in the private sector.

The salaries and allowances of the 72 commissioners and 98 judges is costing taxpayers Sh123.3 million per month, out of which Sh71.7 million caters for their salaries. Sh51.5 million is paid as allowances.

Kenyans have been more focused on the salaries of the Members of Parliament they have now labelled greedy and self-centred. (READ: MPs fight back in pay package row)

But the salary packages of members of commissions established by the Constitution bring in more state officers in the high earners bracket.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga takes home Sh1.27 million while his deputy pockets Sh1.004 million. This package excludes official transport.

Also taking home over Sh1 million in salary is the chairperson of the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution Mr Charles Nyachae.

Mr Nyachae’s monthly pay-slip has Sh1.244 million on it. His deputy is not far behind with Sh1.127 million.

Refusing offer

Kenyans will remember how the commissioners fought for an enhanced salary package, with the chairman refusing to take an initial offer of Sh400,000. He refused to assume office until Treasury bowed to the demands, which indicates that the initial offer was tripled.

He was, last week, at the centre of bashing in Parliament. MPs, agitated that he was among those who criticized their recent foiled attempt to secure a hefty send-off package, say he is equally guilty on matters of pay.

CIC members also enjoy an attractive salary package, each taking home Sh1.092 million. The commission is accused of arm-twisting Treasury before landing the lucrative deal.

The TSC chairperson takes home Sh522,365 which includes a basic pay of Sh292, 765 and allowances. The vice chairperson earns Sh472,660, a package that includes allowances and a basic pay of Sh262,060. Members earn Sh408,560, Sh232,960 of it as basic pay.

Members of the Public Service Commission take home a slightly lower package compared to the rest at Sh442,660, which includes a basic salary of Sh262,060.

The CIC is the most lucrative closely followed by the Judicial Service Commission, the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

The salary packages were tabled in Parliament by Finance assistant minister Dr Oburu Oginga following demands by MPs.

The CJ’s package includes Sh782,220 basic salary, Sh100,000 house allowance, Sh120,000 entertainment allowance, Sh185,000 extraneous allowance, Sh13,000 non-practicing allowance and Sh69,500 domestic staff allowance.

His deputy’s package has Sh586,800 basic salary, a house allowance of Sh100,000, and the same amount as entertainment allowance, Sh150,000 extraneous allowance, Sh55,000 domestic staff allowance and the non-practicing allowance.

A judge of the Supreme Court takes home Sh919,660 which includes a basic pay of Sh531,660 while a judge of the Court of Appeal has his monthly pay-slip reading Sh861,220 of which Sh576,120 is basic salary.

The Chief Registrar earns Sh857,500 of which Sh544,500 is basic salary, while a puisine judge earns Sh726,215 — Sh481,318 being basic pay.

All the commissioners draw house, entertainment, extraneous and domestic staff allowances on top of the basic salaries. They also have official transport. In JSC, they all draw a standard non-practicing allowance of Sh13,000.

Commissioners serving in CIC established under Section 5 of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution have the highest salary packages of all the commissions. None of the members takes home less than a million shillings.

The commission’s functions are to monitor, facilitate, coordinate and oversee the development of the legislation and administrative procedures required to implement the Constitution.

In TJRC, the chairperson earns a total package of Sh800,000 of which Sh500,000 is basic pay. His deputy earns Sh770,000 of which Sh500,000 is basic pay while members of the commission earn a total package of Sh750,000.

In the IEBC, the chairperson has a total package of Sh874,720 which includes basic pay of Sh576,120. His deputy has Sh726,918, Sh481,318 of it as basic pay and members take home Sh706,918, S 481,318 of it as basic pay.

And the Salaries and Remuneration Commission chairperson according to the Treasury breakdown, is paid a total package of Sh330,000, Sh250,000 of it as basic pay.

The vice chair’s package is Sh200,000 which is the basic pay while members earn a basic salary of Sh150,000. The breakdown of allowances is not indicated.

The other independent commissions are the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, the Commission on Revenue Allocation, Commission on Administrative Justice and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

In CAJ the chairperson has a total package of Sh721,720, Sh436,120 as basic pay, the vice chair has Sh629,606, Sh404,006 as basic pay while members draw a total package of Sh629,606.

The KNCHR chair’s package is Sh663,952, Sh385,352 of it as basic pay, vice chair draws Sh593,952 with a basic pay of Sh385,352 while members’ package is Sh593,952 of which Sh385,352 is basic pay.

PSC chairperson’s package is Sh766,720, Sh471,120 of it is basic pay. The deputy chair earns Sh696,918, Sh481,318 of it as basic pay. Commission members earn Sh442,660, out of which Sh262,060 is basic pay.

The NCIC chairperson earns Sh808,720 total package of which Sh576,120 is basic pay. The commission secretary takes home Sh647,958, out of which Sh494,958 is basic pay. Members earn Sh634,918, Sh481,318 of it as basic pay.

The CRA chair earns Sh766,720, of which Sh471,120 is basic pay. The deputy takes home Sh678, 260, of which Sh422,660 is basic salary. Members of the commission earn Sh630,952, Sh385,352 of it as basic pay.

Sports and Youth Affairs assistant minister Mr Kabando wa Kabando, in criticising the CIC said: “It is curious that when issues of their pay are raised, the normally outspoken Chairman of CIC delegates to the vice-chair to do the hatchet job.”

According to Dr Oginga the rationale behind the review of the salaries was given in a Gazette Supplement which is on the State Law Miscellaneous Amendment Act (2009).