Peris Tobiko Profile: Educational Background, Career, Family and Net Worth

 PESI PERIS TOBIKO

Peris Pesi Tobiko is a Kenyan politician and currently a Nominated Senator under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to represent women’s interests in the Senate.

Early Life & Education

Peris Pesi Tobiko was born in 1969 in Mashuru, Kajiado County.

She grew up in a Maasai family as one of 14 children, with her father, Tobiko Ole Pashole, and her mother, Maria Siyiaito Tobiko.

She began her primary education at Mashuru Primary School in 1975, where she studied until 1981 and successfully sat the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE).

Determined to continue her studies at a time when many girls in her community faced cultural barriers to education, she proceeded to Moi Girls Secondary School, Isinya, in 1982, where she pursued her O-Level studies and completed the Kenya Certificate of Education (KCE) in 1985.

For her A-Levels, Peris enrolled at Moi High School, Kabarak, in 1986, completing the Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE) in 1987.

Her outstanding academic performance earned her admission to the University of Nairobi in 1988, where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, graduating in 1992.

Peris Tobiko then returned to the University of Nairobi for postgraduate studies and earned a Master of Arts degree in Government and International Relations between 1993 and 1997.

Career

Professional career

Upon completing her postgraduate studies in 1993, Peris Pesi Tobiko began her professional journey in public administration.

That same year, she joined the Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and National Security as a District Officer in Embu, where she worked to enhance local governance and coordinate development projects at the grassroots level.

In 1994, she transitioned to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development and Marketing, serving as an Assistant Secretary.

From 1995 to 2007, Peris held a senior role at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) as Benefits Manager.

During her twelve-year tenure, she was instrumental in overseeing the administration of social security benefits for Kenyan workers, developing systems for greater efficiency and transparency in service delivery.

After leaving NSSF, Peris expanded her leadership scope by serving on several national boards. Between 2009 and 2011, she was a Board Member of the National Museums of Kenya, where she contributed to policy formulation and preservation of Kenya’s cultural heritage.

At the same time, she served as a Trustee of the Water Services Trust Fund from 2010 to 2011, working on projects to increase access to safe and clean water, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.

In 2011, she was appointed Chairperson of the Tana-Athi Water Services Board, a position she held until 2012, where she oversaw water infrastructure development and governance reforms aimed at improving water resource management.

Political Career

Peris Pesi Tobiko made her first attempt at elective politics during the 2007 General Election, contesting for the Kajiado East Constituency parliamentary seat.

Running on a Kenya African National Union (KANU) ticket, she faced stiff competition and lost the election, but the experience strengthened her resolve to remain active in politics and grassroots mobilization.

In 2013, she contested the same seat under The National Alliance (TNA), then part of the Jubilee Coalition, and won decisively, making history as the first Maasai woman elected as a Member of Parliament (MP).

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During her first term in the 11th Parliament (2013–2017), Peris championed legislation and development projects focused on education, water accessibility, and the empowerment of women and marginalized communities.

Peris sought re-election in 2017 under the Jubilee Party, securing a second consecutive term as MP for Kajiado East.

In the 12th Parliament (2017–2022), she intensified her advocacy for pastoralist rights and land reforms, working to protect community land from irregular allocations.

In 2021, Peris Tobiko made a bold political move by defecting from Jubilee to join the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), part of the Kenya Kwanza coalition led by William Ruto.

She announced her intention to contest the Kajiado Gubernatorial seat in the 2022 General Election, becoming the first Maasai woman to vie for the position.

Despite running a spirited campaign, she did not secure the UDA ticket for governor during the party primaries.

Following the general election, UDA nominated Peris to serve as a Senator representing women and marginalized groups. She was officially sworn into office on 16 August 2022, becoming part of the 13th Parliament.

In the Senate, she has been an active member of the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations and the Committee on Roads, Transportation, and Housing, where she contributes to legislative oversight and policy formulation in key areas of national development.

Net Worth

Details about her net worth are not publicly available.

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However, as a Kenyan Senator, she earns a gross monthly salary of approximately Ksh 739,600, which includes:

• Basic salary: Ksh443,760
• House allowance: Ksh150,000
• Salary market adjustment: Ksh145,840

Senator Peris Tobiko is also entitled to various benefits and allowances, including:

• Official car (or car maintenance allowance of Ksh356,525 per month)
• Medical cover for the senator, spouse, and up to five dependent children
• Airtime allowance: up to Ksh20,000 per month
• Official residence, security, and travel allowances in accordance with SRC-approved rates
• Retirement benefits, including gratuity equivalent to 31% of annual pensionable earnings or contributions to a recognized pension scheme
• Group life insurance valued at three times annual pensionable earnings

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