Exiting governors to earn Sh1.3bn in send-off packages
2 min readExiting governors to earn more than Sh1.3bn in send-off packages after 37 county chiefs were replaced in the just-concluded elections.
21 did not defend their seats after serving their second and final term in office while 16 were sent home in the just concluded August 9 General Elections.
For each year of service, each departing governor is entitled to a gratuity equal to 31% of their yearly basic salary. According to a circular from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), governors received a basic monthly wage of Sh924,000, while their deputies took home Sh621,250.
Accordingly, for the five years they served, taxpayers would pay each county chief Sh17.2 million in gratuity, or 31% of their annual base pay, while their deputies will pocket Sh11.55 million.
The 21 retiring county executives will receive Sh721.83 million, while the 16 one-term governors will receive a total of Sh275.2 million. The sum now equals Sh997.03 million.
Deputy governors who served under the 16 county chiefs will take home a cumulative amount of Sh77.28 million while those who served under 21 exiting governors will receive a total of Sh201.6 million.
They will be leaving office before the conclusion of a court case where they are seeking Sh2.3 billion annually in retirement perks.
The SRC, which advises the government on the wages of public sector officials, has opposed the payments arguing it is not sustainable and is an extra burden to taxpayers.
Governors and their deputies are seeking a lifetime monthly pension of Sh739,200 and Sh700,000 respectively in line with the payouts offered to retired presidents, deputy presidents, chief justices and parliamentary speakers.
In addition to the monthly payouts, they are asking for a lump sum payment equal to their annual salary, a 3,000cc four-wheel-drive automobile, fuel reimbursement, a driver, a personal assistant, and medical insurance for both domestic and international treatment.
The Council of Governors’ lawsuit is still pending in court.
Taxpayers will also be on the hook for millions of shillings in gratuities for departing first- or second-term county executive committee members, chief officers, secretaries, and assembly speakers.
County governments’ wage bill stood at Sh176.03 billion as at June 2021, according to data by the Controller of Budget.
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