The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson, Wafula Wanyonyi Chebukati, and his vice-chairperson, Juliana Cherera have been reading from different scripts with the two going at it in the past week over the presidential election results.
The lead-up and outcome of the August 9 polls have put IEBC commissioners into sharp focus, attracting praise and criticism in equal measure.
Chebukati is set to retire as IEBC chairperson in 2023, having amassed over five years at the helm of the powerful poll body. Besides his daunting and sensitive job, have you ever asked yourself what he gets in return as salary and benefits?
Well, Chebukati earns a monthly gross salary of Ksh924,000 which includes a salary market adjustment of Ksh169,600.
This is according to the remuneration and benefits review for the financial year 2022/2023 by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
In addition, he is entitled to a house allowance of Ksh200,000, a car loan of Ksh10 million, airtime worth Ksh20,000 and a mortgage of Ksh40 million. The chairperson receives the same salary and benefits as the Auditor-General, Nancy Gathungu.
On the other hand, Juliana Cherera receives a gross salary of Ksh765,188, inclusive of a house allowance of Ksh150,000. She also receives a salary market adjustment of Ksh156,075.
Additionally, she is entitled to a car loan of up to Ksh6 million and a mortgage of up to Ksh30 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.
