Kenya mobile telecommunication service provider SAFARICOM released in the annual report for the year ended March 31, 2013 that it spent close to Sh8.4 billion on payment of workers’ salaries and benefits, CEOAFRICA.com gathered.

It was disclosed that the money is equivalent to government’s allocation to all irrigation projects in the current budget and is 11.7 per cent higher than the Sh 7.51 billion paid out by the largest telecommunication company in the region in 2011.

The report also confirmed that the company spent the billions in short and long-term incentives and contributions to pension funds and medical aid schemes.

The breakdown analysis states that more than Sh5.1 billion went to wages and salaries while 303 million was set aside for defined contribution scheme while Sh 96 million went to the employee share grant option plan.

Directors of the company got Sh 387.7 million as total renumeration, up from Sh 204.2 million the previous year.

Safaricom, as sources said, has 3,254 permanent employees comprising of 1,510 women and 1,744 men distributed into nine categories customer service executives ranking amongst the lowest paid grade.  

Also, during the year, Safaricom paid out some Sh34.7 billion, up from Sh33.2 billion the previous year. This amount includes taxes and license fees but excludes dividends.

Shareholders of the company will be expected to approve Sh8.8 billion as dividends in their September 12 AGM to be held at Bomas of Kenya. The directors have proposed a first and final dividend of Sh0.31 per every share of Sh0.05 held. Safaricom paid Sh8 billion as dividend last year.