Govt Announces Major Pay Rise for Police, Prison Warders & NYS

Police constables and other lower-cadre officers in Kenya’s security sector are set for a significant salary boost following a new pay policy announced by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.

In a statement released on Wednesday, March 4, the ministry confirmed that the revised salaries will take effect from July this year, marking what it described as the final phase of a three-year salary review implemented in stages since July 1, 2024.

Under the new structure, a constable in the lowest cadre of the National Police Service will now earn a maximum basic salary of Ksh 57,700, up from Ksh 38,975, representing a 48 % increase.

Fresh graduates from police training colleges will also benefit, with their starting basic salary rising to Ksh 29,296 from Ksh 20,390, translating to a 44 % increment.

A similar salary adjustment has been implemented for officers in the Kenya Prisons Service.

At the top of the scale, the highest-serving police officer will now earn a maximum monthly basic pay of Ksh 345,850, up from Ksh 289,090, a 20 % increase.

NYS and Prisons Officers Also Benefit

Officers in the National Youth Service (NYS) lowest cadre will now earn between Ksh 26,222 and Ksh 37,912, compared to the previous range of Ksh 19,800 to Ksh 32,315.

Senior officers in the Kenya Prisons Service will earn between Ksh 301,548 and Ksh 584,903 under the revised structure, reflecting the broader adjustments across the security sector.

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Final Phase of Three-Year Reform

According to the ministry, the latest increment marks the final phase of salary adjustments rolled out over three years.

“Officers from all three services started earning the raised pay when the Government announced that all officers in the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, and National Youth Service would get a salary raise to be paid in phases, effective July 1, 2024,” the statement read in part.

The government further noted that the cumulative adjustments over the three years are the highest for officers since independence.

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Over 50% of Reforms Implemented

The announcement followed a meeting of the National Steering Committee (NSC) on the implementation of reforms in the security services, chaired by Principal Secretary for Internal Security Raymond Omollo.

The ministry revealed that more than 50% of the planned reform actions across the three institutions have already been implemented.

“Overall, the three institutions have now implemented more than 50 % of the planned reform actions, demonstrating sustained momentum across the security sector,” the statement added.

The reform programme is anchored on a structured four-pillar transformation framework focusing on institutional capacity development, operational preparedness and logistical capacity, oversight and accountability, as well as human resource management and development.

With the new pay structure taking effect in July, thousands of officers across the police, prisons and NYS services are expected to benefit from the enhanced remuneration as the government pushes forward with broader security sector reforms.

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President William Ruto presides over the 88th National Youth Service Recruits Pass-Out Parade in Gilgil, Nakuru County. PHOTO/NYS