Police officers and prison warders are set to receive a salary increase of up to Ksh18,000 beginning July, as the government rolls out the final phase of pay reforms targeting lower-ranking officers across the security sector.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration confirmed that the new salary structure will benefit officers serving in the Kenya Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service and the National Youth Service.
The ministry said the adjustments form part of a broader four-pillar transformation programme aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, operational preparedness, oversight, accountability and human resource development within the security services.
Under the revised structure, a constable in the lowest cadre of the National Police Service will now earn a maximum basic salary of Ksh57,700, up from Ksh38,975. This represents a 48 per cent increase. A similar increment has been effected for constables in the Kenya Prisons Service.
Fresh graduates from police training colleges will earn a starting salary of Ksh29,296, compared to the Ksh20,390 paid before July 2024 — a 44 per cent rise. Meanwhile, officers in the lowest cadre of the National Youth Service will now take home between Ksh26,222 and Ksh37,912, up from the previous range of Ksh19,800 to Ksh32,315.
At the senior level, the highest-ranking police officer will earn a maximum monthly basic salary of Ksh345,850, up from Ksh289,090, marking a 20 per cent increase. Senior officers in the Prisons Service will earn between Ksh301,548 and Ksh584,903 under the new pay policy.
According to the ministry, the July increment marks the final phase of salary adjustments that have been implemented in stages since July 1, 2024. The government described the cumulative pay rise over the three-year period as the highest for officers since independence.
The announcement followed a meeting of the National Steering Committee overseeing the reforms, chaired by Principal Secretary for Internal Security Raymond Omollo.
The ministry further revealed that more than 50 per cent of the planned reforms across the three institutions have already been implemented. The National Police Service is leading with 57.2 per cent implementation, while the Prisons Service and NYS are said to be progressing at comparable levels.
Officials maintain that the pay rise is aimed at boosting morale, improving service delivery and reinforcing professionalism within the country’s security agencies.
