Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who led Kenya from 2013 to 2022, was among the country’s highest-paid state officers during his tenure and now receives a retirement package protected by law.
Uhuru’s salary and benefits were set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), while his retirement package is guided by the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, which guarantees former presidents a range of entitlements funded by the state.
Uhuru Kenyatta Salary While in Office
When Uhuru took office in March 2013, his monthly salary was set at KSh 1,237,500, with an annual increase of KSh 103,125 under a structured pay system approved by the SRC.
During his second term, the SRC reviewed his salary. In a gazette notice issued on July 7, 2017, the President’s monthly gross pay was increased to KSh 1,443,750, a figure that remained unchanged until he left office in 2022.
The monthly salary was made up of:
- Basic salary: KSh 866,250
- House allowance: KSh 350,000
- Salary market adjustment: KSh 227,500
- Total: KSh 1,443,750
In 2014, Uhuru announced a 20 percent pay cut for himself and his deputy as part of efforts to reduce the government wage bill. However, the official SRC salary remained the reference point when calculating his benefits.
“We need to deal with this monster if we are to develop this nation; otherwise, sooner or later we will become a nation that only collects taxes to pay ourselves,” Uhuru said at the time.
Over the 10 years he served as president, his total earnings from salary alone ran into hundreds of millions of shillings.
Retirement Benefits
After leaving office in September 2022, Uhuru became entitled to retirement benefits provided for under the law. These benefits cannot be reduced once granted.
A key part of the package is a lump sum payment equal to one year’s salary for each term served, meaning Uhuru received about KSh 48 million after completing his two terms in office.
He also earns a monthly pension equal to 80 percent of the salary of the sitting President. Based on the current salary of KSh 1,443,750, this comes to about KSh 1,155,000 every month.
Additional Benefits and Privileges
Apart from the pension and gratuity, former presidents are also entitled to several other benefits to support them after leaving office.
These include:
- Housing allowance is estimated at between KSh 300,000 and KSh 350,000 per month
- Fuel allowance of about KSh 200,000 monthly
- Utility coverage of up to KSh 300,000
- Operational and entertainment expenses
Uhuru is also entitled to a fully funded office, including staff such as personal assistants, drivers, and security officers.
In addition, he receives:
- Official vehicles, which are maintained and replaced by the state
- Comprehensive medical cover for himself and his spouse, both locally and abroad
- Lifetime state security
- Diplomatic passports and support for official travel
There are also provisions for annual operational funding to run his office, which is reported to cost tens of millions of shillings each year
All these benefits are protected under the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act and supported by the Constitution.
The law provides that the benefits are paid from the Consolidated Fund, meaning they are guaranteed by the government. It also states that these benefits cannot be reduced after a president
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