Outgoing Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati and two commissioners are set to receive over Ksh 32M as send-off packages.
Chebukati, Commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye are expected to leave office by January 17 after serving a six-year non-renewable term.
According to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, (SRC) led by Lyn Mengich,
"A State officer, serving or appointed for a fixed term of office, shall be paid a service gratuity at the rate of 31 per cent of the annual pensionable emoluments for the term served."
Chebukati, earned a monthly gross salary of Ksh 924,000 which included a salary market adjustment of Ksh169,600, according to the remuneration and benefits review for the financial year 2022/2023 by the (SRC).
Commissioners Molu and Guliye on the other hand earned Ksh 765,188 with a basic salary of Ksh 459,113, a uniform house allowance of Ksh150,000 and a salary market adjustment of Ksh156,075
Other than the salaries they earned, Chebukati was also entitled to a house allowance of Ksh200,000, a car loan of Ksh10 million, airtime worth Ksh20,000 and a mortgage of Ksh40 million.
According to SRC guidelines, for purposes of pension and gratuity, the pensionable payment shall be based on the monthly basic salary and not the allowances.
Chebukati having served for 72 months (6 years) earned Ksh 39,916,800 while each of the two commissioners earned Ksh 33,056,136.
Equally, Chebukati is entitled to a Ksh 40 million mortgage while the two commissioners are to get up to Ksh 30 million.
Chebukati and two of his colleagues, Mulu and Guliye were on Wednesday, January 11, treated to a farewell party.
The three expressed their gratitude to the staff and IEBC for the time that they served at the commission.
“Long journey of six years at IEBC is about to end. Looking forward to a happy exit in the next few days. Thanks to our staff for this wonderful farewell,” Commissioner Molu noted.
Guliye emphasized that the IEBC had remained impartial throughout his tenure, despite facing numerous challenges.
He stated: “We have faced a lot of challenges as a commission, but we have always remained committed to upholding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that every vote counts.”
While addressing recent accusations of stolen elections Guliye opined, “It demoralizes the commission when people talk of stolen elections. Those times have ended.”
The commission now remains with embattled commissioner Irene Masit who is being grilled by the Justice Muchelule-led tribunal over election malpractice.
