In Kenya, senators receive a monthly salary and various allowances as part of their compensation package. These allowances cover multiple expenses, including housing, mileage, and sitting allowances for parliamentary sessions. The specific amounts and regulations governing senator salaries and allowances are determined by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and are subject to periodic reviews and adjustments. Understanding the details of this compensation is essential for transparency and accountability in Kenya’s political landscape. So, What is the salary of a senator in Kenya?
In a brief overview, a senator’s salary in Kenya is Kshs. 710,000. If the senator serves as Leader of the Minority Party or Majority Party in the Senate, they receive Ksh. 768,000.
Who are Senators, and what are their responsibilities
Senators in Kenya are members of the Kenyan Senate, the upper house of the Kenyan Parliament. Kenya has 47 counties, and each elects one senator to represent its interests in the Senate. Senators have a crucial role in lawmaking, oversight, and expressing their constituents at the national level. They serve five-year terms and are responsible for scrutinizing legislation, promoting devolution, and ensuring equitable resource allocation among Kenya’s counties.
A Kenyan Senator’s roles include:
- Represents a county in the Senate.
- Participates in lawmaking.
- Reviews and amends bills.
- Approves county budgets.
- Oversees county government activities.
- Advocates for constituents.
- Attends Senate sessions regularly.
- Serves a five-year term.
- Conducts public hearings.
- Promotes county development.
How does a Senator earn in Kenya?
A senator sworn into the seat in Kenya is entitled to a monthly salary of KES 710,000. If the senator serves as Leader of the Minority Party or Majority Party in the Senate, they receive KES 768,000. Senators receive the following allowances and benefits:
| Allowance/Benefit | Amount (KES) |
|---|---|
| Monthly Salary of a senator in Kenya | 710,000 |
| Party Leader (Minority/Majority) | 768,000 |
| Official Transport (Car Engine ≥ 3000cc) | Government vehicle |
| Commuter Allowance | Not provided |
| Medical Benefits | Inpatient: 10,000,000 |
| Outpatient: 300,000 | |
| Maternity: 150,000 | |
| Dental: 100,000 | |
| Optical: 100,000 | |
| Retirement Benefit | Eligible (Based on law) |
| Group Life Insurance | Three times the annual pension |
| Group Personal Accident | As advised by the Inspector General of Police |
| Airtime | 15,000 monthly |
| Official Residence | Not provided |
| Security | Three times the annual pension |
| Annual Leave Allowance | Not eligible (elected officials) |
| Committee Sitting Allowance (Chairperson) | 15,000 per sitting |
| Max: 240,000 monthly | |
| Committee Sitting Allowance (Vice-Chairperson) | 12,000 per sitting |
| Max: 192,000 monthly | |
| Committee Sitting Allowance (Member) | 7,500 per sitting |
| (One return journey weekly from Nairobi to the county office) | |
| Mileage Claim | 116.63 per kilometer |
| Three times annual pension | |
| Car Loan | Up to 8,000,000 |
| Mortgage Benefit | Up to 35,000,000 |
| Special Responsibility Allowance | Up to 150,000 (Performance-based) |
Apart from the Senator’s Salary in Kenya, They also Receive the following allowances.
1. Official Transport
Senators in Kenya receive official government cars, but these vehicles must have an engine capacity of at least 3000cc.
2. Commuter Allowance
Senators in Kenya do not receive a commuter allowance as the government provides them with official vehicles.
3. Medical Benefits
Senators and their immediate family members, including a spouse and up to four children under twenty-five, receive comprehensive medical benefits. That includes an inpatient cover of KES 10 million, outpatient cover of KES 300,000, maternity cover of KES 150,000, dental cover of KES 100,000, and optical cover of KES 100,000.
4. Retirement Benefit
Senators in Kenya are eligible for retirement benefits based on the law granting pensions to members of the National Assembly and their dependents.
5. Group Life Insurance and Group Personal Accident
Senators receive group life insurance and group personal accident cover, equivalent to three times their annual pension.
6. Airtime
Senators receive a monthly airtime allowance worth KES 15,000.
7. Official Residence
Senators do not receive an official residence as part of their benefits.
8. Security
Senators receive security arrangements as advised by the Inspector General of Police.
9. Annual Leave Allowance
Senators are not eligible for an annual leave allowance, as they are elected officials.
10. Committee Sitting Allowance
The committee sitting allowance varies depending on the senator’s role. A committee chairperson receives KES 15,000 per sitting, with a maximum monthly limit of KES 240,000. A committee vice-chairperson receives KES 12,000 per sitting, with a maximum monthly limit of KES 192,000. Committee members receive KES 7,500 per sitting, with a maximum monthly limit of KES 120,000.
11. Mileage Claim
Senators are eligible for a mileage claim for one return journey weekly from Nairobi to their respective county offices. The rate for this claim is KES 116.63 per kilometer, and their cars must have an engine capacity of not more than 3000cc.
12. Car Loan and Mortgage Benefit
Senators can access a car loan of up to KES 8 million and a mortgage benefit of up to KES 35 million.
13. Special Responsibility Allowance
Senators are eligible for a special responsibility allowance of up to KES 150,000, provided they perform added responsibilities beyond their standard duties.
ALSO CHECK: MCA Salary and Allowances in Kenya
How much does a speaker of the senate earn in Kenya?
In Kenya, the Senate Speaker receives a monthly salary of 696,000 Kenyan Shillings. In addition to the basic salary, they are entitled to a house allowance of 250,000 Kenyan Shillings and an official commuter allowance. Furthermore, they receive a salary market adjustment of 214,000 Kenyan Shillings. These combined components result in a gross monthly salary of 1,160,000 Kenyan Shillings. The role of the Senate Speaker in Kenya is to preside over Senate proceedings, maintain order during debates, represent the Senate in external matters, and ensure the smooth functioning of the Senate, among other responsibilities. They play a crucial role in Kenya’s legislative process and governance.
| Speaker of the Senate salary in Kenya | In Kshs. |
|---|---|
| Basic Salary | 696,000 |
| House Allowance | 250,000 |
| Commuter Allowance | Official |
| Salary Market Adjustment | 214,000 |
| Gross Salary | 1,160,000 |
| Deputy Speaker of the Senate |
How much does a Deputy Speaker of the Senate earn in Kenya?
In Kenya, a Deputy Speaker of the Senate earns a basic salary of 556,800 Kenyan Shillings. In addition to this, they receive a house allowance of 200,000 Kenyan Shillings. Their gross salary is supplemented with an official commuter allowance and a salary market adjustment of 171,200 Kenyan Shillings. The role of a Deputy Speaker in the Senate involves:
- Presiding over Senate sessions in the absence of the Speaker.
- Maintaining order.
- Ensuring the proper conduct of debates.
- Representing the Senate on various occasions and committees, among other parliamentary responsibilities.
| Deputy Speaker of the Senate salary in Kenya | In Kshs. |
|---|---|
| Basic Salary | 556,800 |
| House Allowance | 200,000 |
| Commuter Allowance | Official |
| Salary Market Adjustment | 171,200 |
| Gross Salary | 928,000 |