Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) Board Chairperson Irungu Nyakera has revealed that he earns less than a sitting Member of County Assembly (MCA) in his new role at the medical state corporation.
In response to an online user who had questioned him about his monthly earnings, the former Principal Secretary who served in former President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration detailed that he takes home less than Ksh100,000 per month.
While breaking down the figures, Nyakera divulged that he is paid Ksh52,000 for offering his services to the organisation.
Nyakera also added that he earns various allowances in addition to the honorarium payment.
Nyakera takes home a sitting allowance of Ksh13,000 and another Ksh2,000 for lunch allowance.
On the other hand, he is also accorded an airtime allowance of Ksh7,000, bringing his total earnings to Ksh74,000.
According to Nyakera, his colleagues on various boards also earned the same.
"What of chairing, airtime, house, extraneous, responsibility, travelling, lunch/breakfast, oversight allowances and other benefits including hefty health cover, connection to employ and other insurances? Doing voluntary work in such a position is not explainable," Maquiz Maswari opined.
"Chairmanship is not a job, it’s a responsibility. I don’t earn a salary. Assuming there are two meetings a month on average, take home is less than Ksh100,0000 for any chairman. Less than your honourable MCA," he responded.
Nyakera's revelations stirred a debate among Kenyans who questioned whether the figures issued by the former PS were factual.
Notably in January 2018, the National Treasury released a circular on revised tiers for minimum payments for board chairs and board members.
The highest-paid board chairs were to earn Ksh150,000. The boards included in the top tier included the Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Power and the Kenya Ports Authority.
KEMSA was classified in the second tier with the board chair's salary set at Ksh120,000.
Third-tier state corporations had the monthly retainers valued at Ksh100,000.
