Kivutha Kibwana: Kenyans React as Former Governor Shares His Payslip, Compare with Current Salaries
- Former Makueni governor Kivutha Kibwana shared his payslip as a university don during his teaching tenure at the University of Nairobi (UoN)
- Kibwana castigated the government for paying university lecturers peanuts, forcing many academicians to seek greener pastures abroad
- The payslip and his call for urgent reforms in the education funding sparked debate among Kenyans
- Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, Dr. Mary Akinyi, an education economist, said that lecturers' poor pay reflects a more profound crisis in Kenya’s education sector
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Wycliffe Musalia has over six years of experience in financial, business, technology, climate, and health reporting, providing deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends. He currently works as a business editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Public university lecturers are among the least paid government employees in Kenya.
Source: Twitter
Former Makueni governor Kivutha Kibwana, who currently lectures law school at Daystar University, called on the government to ensure urgent reforms in the funding of education in the country.
What was Kivutha Kibwana's pay as lecturer?
In a post on his social media handles, Kibwana shared his payslip as a don at the University of Nairobi (UoN) in 2002.
He argued that after teaching for 25 years, his gross pay stood at KSh 81,888.55, describing it as peanuts
"After teaching at the university for 25 years, my gross salary was KSh 81,888 & 55 cents. Still, university lecturers earn peanuts.
"The government research budget is minimal. Many top academicians have gone abroad. Large numbers of youth lack fees. Hence collapse of tertiary education. Kenya needs urgent reforms to secure a better future for both education and the nation," said Kibwana.
The politician earned a net pay of KSh 61,817.55 after statutory deductions amounting to KSh 20,071.
He received a house allowance of KSh 40,000, transport allowance of KSh 1,500 and responsibility of KSh 4,000.
What Kenyans said about Kibwana's pay
The post sparked debate among Kenyans, with some arguing that the amount then was enough.
Others argued that due to inflationary changes, lectures currently earn up to KSh 300,000.
@oumaeugine58 claimed:
"KSh 81,000 in 2002 is like KSh 1 million now, so you guys were earning such a huge salary."
@kachwanya acknowledged:
"This is something that needs to be addressed soon. Teachers and lecturers are very important for the future of this country."
@AntonioWallahi said
"Boss, you were earning well."
@fwelloh said:
"Education is not well recognized in Kenya."
@MwangiBonnie explained:
"In our country, up is down and down is up. The least productive people are the highest paid. As you digest this nugget from Prof. remember that an MP today makes an income that is 93 times what the average citizen makes. Heck, an MCA anywhere in the country makes an income that is 16 times what the average citizen makes. The difference is who is determining the compensation."
@kelvinmulilya argued:
"Adjusted for inflation, that KSh 81,888 in 2002 is worth over KSh 350,000 today."
@Kaikainaipaa claimed:
"Currently, the UoN Profs are earning 300K plus monthly after deductions."
@Tsietsi_Mohale wondered:
"Housing allowance is more than basic salary?"
@BarackWaluvengo asked:
"Now, now, now, is it fair to conclude that education does not pay?"
@FrancisMut1034 said:
"KSh 52,000 in 2002 was lumpsum, considering the then economy and strength of Ksh. It's only that currently, the professors have not seen a significant salary increment to match inflation and the deteriorating economy."
Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, Dr. Mary Akinyi, a senior education economist and policy analyst, said the plight of lecturers like Professor Kivutha Kibwana reflects a deeper crisis in Kenya’s higher education sector.
She explained that the systemic undervaluing of lecturers and researchers has far-reaching consequences for national development, particularly in innovation, youth mentorship, and global competitiveness.
“Kenya’s public universities are the bedrock of intellectual and professional development, yet they remain starved of resources. If we fail to invest in our lecturers, we are knowingly sabotaging the quality of education and limiting our future as a knowledge-driven economy,” she told TUKO.co.ke.
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How much do Kenyan lecturers earn?
In Kenya, lecturers conduct research, teach, and play a crucial role in the admissions process, department administrations, and academic establishments in universities.
The dons work with students, scientists, private corporations and government officials.
A lecturer's average salary averages KSh 216,000 monthly and KSh 2,590,000 per year.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
