Here’s a detailed overview of the Top 10 Best-Paid CEOs in Kenya with approximate monthly earnings, based on the most recent reported data largely drawn from 2025 salary figures. Note that exact pay can vary year-to-year depending on bonuses, stock incentives, and company performance.
1. Gideon Muriuki – CEO, Co-operative Bank of Kenya
Widely regarded as Kenya’s highest-paid CEO, Muriuki’s compensation reflects his longstanding leadership of one of the country’s largest banks. He is reported to earn around KES 31.3 million per month (about KSh 428 million annually), including salary, performance bonuses and other benefits.
2. Paul Russo – CEO, KCB Bank Group
Leading one of East Africa’s largest commercial banks, Russo’s executive package places him near the top of Kenya’s pay rankings. His monthly earnings are estimated at about KES 22.7 million (≈ KSh 177.7 million per year).
3. Peter Ndegwa – CEO, Safaricom PLC
As CEO of Kenya’s most valuable telecommunications company, Ndegwa earns a lucrative package. Based on recent disclosures, his annual total pay of around KES 286–294 million works out to roughly KES 23.8 million–24.5 million per month.
4. Allan Kilavuka – CEO, Kenya Airways
At Kenya’s flag-carrier airline, Kilavuka’s executive compensation is reported at roughly KES 8.5 million per month, reflecting the challenges and responsibilities of running a major regional airline.
5. Abdi Mohamed – CEO, Absa Bank Kenya
Abdi Mohamed leads one of Kenya’s major commercial banks. His monthly earnings are estimated at about KES 8.4 million.
6. John Gachora – CEO, NCBA Group
Gachora’s compensation at NCBA Bank — a large pan-African financial services group — is reported at about KES 8.0 million per month.
7. Jane Karuku – CEO, East African Breweries Limited (EABL)Karuku, one of Kenya’s highest-paid female CEOs, earns around KES 7.5 million per month overseeing EABL’s beverage business across the region.
8. Benson Wairegi – CEO, Britam Holdings
A veteran in the insurance and financial services sector, Wairegi’s monthly pay is estimated at about KES 6.8 million.
9. James Mwangi – CEO, Equity Bank Group
Under Mwangi’s leadership, Equity Bank has grown significantly. His monthly earnings are around KES 5.0 million — still very high relative to average incomes in Kenya.
10. James Mworia – CEO, Centum Investments
As head of Centum — one of Kenya’s largest investment companies — Mworia earns an estimated KES 3.7 million per month, rounding out the top ten
Why CEO Pay Is So High in Kenya
Executive compensation in Kenya — as in many markets — is driven by several factors:
1. Company Size and Profitability:
Large corporations such as Safaricom, major banks, and multinational consumer goods firms generate substantial revenues, enabling them to offer competitive pay at the top.
2. Performance Incentives:
CEO packages often include significant performance-based bonuses and share awards, pushing up total monthly earnings beyond base salary.
3. Regional Responsibility:
Many of these firms operate across East Africa and beyond, increasing the complexity and scope of the CEO’s role — a factor boards use to justify higher pay.
4. Talent Competition:
To attract and retain global executive talent, Kenyan corporations often benchmark pay against multinational peers, especially in banking and telecommunications
