Interesting data has revealed how Kenyan Head of State William Ruto is one of the best-paid presidents in the world, relatively speaking.
In fact, the President ranks first in the tier of the highest-paid world leaders relative to their countries’ economic muscle.
As per the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC)’s revision of salaries for state officers in June 2023, President Ruto’s monthly gross retainer soared from Ksh1,443,750 to Ksh1,650,000.
While these figures are a far cry from how much heads of state from economic superpowers earn, they are still astronomically high considering Kenya’s per-capita GDP in 2023.
President William Ruto’s ranking in highest-earning presidents worldwide per capita GDP. PHOTO/ Statista.com
Kenya’s GDP per capita last year stood at Ksh811,615. With this in mind, Ruto’s annual salary of Ksh19,800,000 is the equivalent of almost 2,000% of his country’s per-capita GDP (1993%).
This dynamic makes President Ruto stand in a league of his own in first place in the tier of best salaries as a share of 2023 GDP per capita, with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who took office in 2024 coming in second with his annual salary of Ksh217,718,946 (USD 1.69 million) being the equivalent of 1,158% of his country’s per-capita GDP.
Wong’s hefty payout also happens to make him the world’s best-earning world leader in monetary value.
Interestingly, the top five in the list of best-paid heads of state relative to their country’s economic prowess are dominated by African leaders.
Tanzania and South Africa Presidents Samia Suluhu Hassan and Cyril Ramaphosa’s salaries annual salaries also exceed the 1000% mark of their countries respective per-capita GDPs, sitting at 1087% and 1053% in third and fourth place respectively.
Ghana’s Head of State Nana Akufo-Addo is fifth on the list, with his annual remuneration being 651% of his country’s GDP per capita.
In June 2024, amid outrage from Kenyans over the SRC’s proposed salary hike for state officers, President Ruto subtly opposed the move admitting the pay gap between high-income earners and the middle class was simply too large.
“The President has emphasised that this is a time, more than ever before, for the executive and all arms of government to live within their means,” State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed said in a statement. Kenyans.co