Police officers set for fresh salary increase this month
The phased increases began in September last year, when the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) announced that the basic salary for police constables at entry level had risen by Sh4,000, from Sh21,645 to Sh25,645.
Police officers across the country will enjoy higher salaries this month following the implementation of recommendations by the Justice (Rtd) David Maraga-led Taskforce on Police Reforms.
Under the revised structure, the lowest-earning officer, a constable, will now receive a basic salary ranging between Sh27,470 and Sh47,125, up from Sh25,645 for entry-level constables.
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In total, constables will now take home between Sh51,970 and Sh71,625, while the highest-ranking officer below the level of Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police will earn between Sh501,150 and Sh628,480.
Other revised pay scales are as follows: Corporal (Sh59,740–85,465), Sergeant (Sh71,020–89,455), Senior Sergeant (Sh81,640–101,405), Inspector (Sh93,945–115,435), Chief Inspector (Sh106,415–131,145), Assistant Superintendent (Sh122,305–157,875), Superintendent (Sh167,235–207,075), Senior Superintendent (Sh182,515–219,035), Commissioner of Police (Sh218,075–267,935), and Assistant Inspector General (Sh286,005–361,750).
The changes also introduce a structural distinction between Senior Sergeants and Inspectors.
The phased increases began in September last year, when the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) announced that the basic salary for police constables at entry level had risen by Sh4,000, from Sh21,645 to Sh25,645.
At the same time, the commission promoted 1,957 police constables aged between 53 and 59 who had served in the same rank for over three decades.
The Taskforce had recommended a 40 per cent increase in the basic salary for the lowest rank or pay grade for uniformed officers, reducing progressively to three per cent for the highest rank.
“The Taskforce recommends that the new remuneration structure should be implemented in three phases from 1 July 2024,” its report stated.
However, implementation was delayed due to the broader reform process, which included the development of a strategic framework to guide the rollout of the Maraga report on the terms and conditions of service for Police, Prisons and National Youth Service officers.
“The strategic framework follows the successful implementation of the recommendations prioritised for inclusion in the first phase of the rollout,” Interior PS Raymond Omollo said in June last year after chairing the National Inter-Agency Steering Committee tasked with full implementation of the taskforce’s recommendations.
For years, police officers have been paid under the Civil Service Job Group Remuneration System, which critics argue failed to recognise the unique demands of the National Police Service (NPS) — including their duties, disrupted family life, working conditions and the risks inherent in their roles.
“The SRC should establish a remuneration system for disciplined services, completely delinked from the Civil Service Job Groups Classification System and Pay Determination,” the taskforce recommended.
The Maraga-led team also compared the salary structures of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), NPS and Kenya Prisons Service (KPS). It found that while average KDF earnings exceeded the minimum basic salary scale, NPS, KPS, and NYS averages exceeded the maximum basic scale. The taskforce recommended harmonisation, particularly for grades with similar entry qualifications and comparable training regimes.
“Harmony is important, especially for grades with similar entry qualifications and more or less similar training regimes in the disciplined services,” the report stated.
If fully implemented, Maraga’s recommendations will trigger a major reorganisation of the National Police Service. This includes restructuring command and staffing by maintaining service distinctions only up to the inspectorate level.
All gazetted officers will be designated as NPS officers, subject to uniform training and promotion standards, making them deployable across any of the three services.
Additionally, the Administration Police Service will be strengthened with new formations to enhance its functions under Sections 10 and 27 of the NPS Act.
Other proposed reforms include restructuring the Police Air Wing, introducing new uniforms, improving mental wellness support, upgrading housing, and tightening accountability systems.
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