President William Ruto’s decision to expand the number of state departments from 50 to 57 is set to cost taxpayers an extra Ksh 66.6 million annually in salaries for seven additional principal secretaries (PSs).
The restructuring, which appears to be politically motivated following high-level political negotiations between the government and opposition leader Raila Odinga directed at fostering bipartisan cooperation, has raised the monthly salary bill for all principal secretaries to Ksh 45.2 million, prompting concerns over its fiscal impact.
This translates to Ksh 542.1 million per year and Ksh 2.71 billion over a five-year term.
Each PS currently earns a fixed monthly salary of Ksh 792,519, as outlined in an August 2023 Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) notice.
The package includes a basic salary of Ksh 475,511, a house allowance of Ksh 150,000, and a market adjustment of Ksh 167,008.
Three PSs, those overseeing Interior, Treasury, and Foreign Affairs, also receive an additional Ksh 100,000 responsibility allowance.
Apart from their salaries, PSs enjoy state-funded medical insurance, retirement benefits, and official vehicles with a 3,000-cc engine capacity maintained by taxpayers.
The country’s wage bill, already exceeding Ksh 1 trillion annually, continues to grow, with public servants now costing taxpayers more than ever before.
