President William Ruto’s Senior Advisor on Constitutional and Human Rights, Makau Mutua, has admitted that he takes home a salary almost equal to that of a Cabinet Secretary—close to a million shillings every month—for his advisory role in government.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Wednesday, Mutua was pressed to reveal how much he earns in his current role.
At first, he avoided giving a direct figure, insisting that the amount was not a matter of public concern. However, when the interviewer suggested that his pay was somewhere between Ksh700,000 and Ksh800,000, Mutua confirmed that it was in the same range.
“I am paid the equivalent of a Cabinet Secretary,” he said, before quickly steering the conversation away from his personal earnings.
For perspective, a Cabinet Secretary in Kenya currently earns around Ksh990,000 gross per month as of July 1, 2024.
This includes a basic salary, a house allowance, and market adjustment perks. Top executives at parastatals such as the Kenya Pipeline Company, which remitted over Ksh5 billion to the Treasury last year, also take home salaries in the same ballpark, averaging about Ksh903,300 per month.
Ruto’s Growing Team of Advisors
Mutua’s revelation comes at a time when Kenyans are debating the sheer size of President Ruto’s advisory team. Since assuming office three years ago, Ruto has appointed nearly 20 special advisors, almost the same number as Cabinet Secretaries.
Critics have argued that the ballooning advisory team not only strains taxpayers but also duplicates roles already assigned to government ministries.
Some of the most notable appointments were made following the signing of a 10-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Mutua, who once served as Raila’s campaign spokesperson and was a fierce critic of Ruto, shocked many when he crossed over to join the government in April, taking up the powerful advisory role.
Similarly, Jaoko Oburu Odinga, the son of Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga and Raila’s nephew, was brought on board as a special advisor on Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihoods shortly after the MoU was signed.
Interestingly, each of these advisors earns close to what a Cabinet Secretary makes, raising further questions about the cost of governance.
Previous Advisors and Resignations
Not all advisors have stuck around, however. Until just two months ago, former Trade CS Moses Kuria held the position of Ruto’s Senior Economic Advisor.
He stepped down following the Saba Saba protests, stating that his resignation would give him time to reflect and remain neutral in what he described as politically “hazy times.”
Mutua Defends His Role
Despite facing criticism for what many see as a complete turnaround from his opposition days, Mutua insists he has no regrets about working in Ruto’s administration.
More recently, he also took up an additional role as the chairperson of the committee overseeing compensation for protest victims, sparking even more scrutiny from political observers.
However, Mutua has defended himself against accusations of whitewashing government actions.
He stressed that he would only consider resigning if he reached a point where his conscience no longer allowed him to support the President’s policies.
“If things happen that I am not happy with, and my conscience cannot live with, I will walk away. I cannot serve a government or a President when I no longer believe in what they are doing,” Mutua explained.
In the meantime, his confirmation that he earns the equivalent of a Cabinet Secretary has not only shed light on the lucrative nature of presidential advisory jobs but has also reignited debates about whether Kenya’s taxpayers are carrying the burden of too many highly paid advisors in government.
Join Government Official WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
