Wafula Wanyonyi Chebukati, the chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and Juliana Cherera, his vice-chairperson, have been arguing about the results of the presidential election for the past week while reading from different scripts.
The events leading up to and the results of the elections on August 9 have brought attention to the IEBC commissioners, drawing both praise and condemnation in equal measure.
After serving as the IEBC’s chair for more than five years, Chebukati will step down from her position in 2023. Have you ever wondered what he receives in the way of pay and benefits in addition to his difficult and delicate job?
Chebukati is paid a gross income of Ksh924,000 per month, with a Ksh169,600 salary market adjustment.
This is in accordance with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s evaluation of compensation and benefits for the fiscal year 2022–2023.
He also qualifies for a housing allowance of Ksh200,000, a Ksh10 million automobile loan, Ksh20 million in airtime, and a Ksh40 million mortgage. The chairperson is compensated similarly to Nancy Gathungu, the Auditor-General, in terms of pay and benefits.
Juliana Cherera, on the other hand, is paid a gross salary of Ksh765,188, which includes a Ksh150,000 housing allowance. A wage market adjustment of Ksh156,075 is also given to her.
She also qualifies for a mortgage up to Ksh30 million and a car loan of up to Ksh6 million.
“The car loan shall be recoverable within the contract term of a State officer. The car loan and mortgage shall be administered and managed centrally by the National Treasury, within existing applicable regulations to govern the schemes, and subject to the availability of funds,” read part of the SRC notice.
Further, she receives airtime worth Ksh15,000 per month. Other benefits that the IEBC chair and his deputy are entitled to include the provision of an official government car with an engine capacity not exceeding 3,000cc, group life insurance and personal accident cover equivalent to three times of the annual pensionable emoluments, daily subsistence for local and foreign travels.
Others include the provision of security as directed by the Inspector-General and an annual leave allowance paid at the rate of Ksh50,000 per annum.
In terms of medical benefits, both Chebukati and Cherera are provided with an annual medical cover including their spouse and up to four children below twenty-five years. The cover comprises an inpatient cover of Ksh10 million, an outpatient cover of Ksh300,000, maternity of Ksh150,000, dental cover of Ksh75,000 and optical of Ksh75,000.
In the case of the five other commissioners, Francis Wanderi, Justus Nyang’aya, Irene Masit, Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu, they receive Ksh621,250 monthly salary each as well as allowances.
They also get an official chauffeured car, airtime, and security and their family members receive full medical cover.
In addition, upon retiring, the commissioners will receive a lucrative package amounting to 30 percent of their total salary in the six-year term that they serve.
