Govt Approves New Salary and Allowances Structure for Civil Servants

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has approved a new salary structure and revised allowances for civil servants in the national government under the Fourth Remuneration Review Cycle for the 2025/2026 to 2028/2029 period.

In a letter dated December 19, 2025, addressed to Principal Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development Jane Kere Imbunya, the SRC said the decision was reached during its 691st meeting held on the same day.

The commission approved a revised basic salary structure and leave allowance for all civil servants, with implementation set to take effect from July 1, 2025, and payments to be processed in the 2025/2026 financial year.

”Reference is made to your letters Ref. No. MPS&HCD.12 dated September 2, 2025, on the guidelines for negotiations on the 4 remuneration and benefits review cycle 2025-2029 and Ref. No. MPSP&DM/9/1 dated December 11, 2025, on the above subject,” the circular sent to Public Service PS Jane Imbunya read in part.

”The approved Basic Salary structure and Leave Allowance should be implemented with effect from July 1, 2025, at a cost of Ksh 2,065,701,510 for the Financial Year 2025/2026.”

SRC House Allowance Clusters

According to the SRC, the new structure applies to staff across various job groups, ranging from lower cadres to senior civil servants, and includes adjustments to house allowance, commuter allowance, and salary market adjustment (SMA).

The commission clustered house allowances into three categories: Nairobi City as Cluster One; Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru cities, as well as Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii, Malindi and Kitale municipalities as Cluster Two; and all other areas as Cluster Three.

For example, civil servants in higher grades such as CSG4 will earn a basic salary ranging from Ksh 185,690 to Ksh 396,130, with Nairobi-based staff receiving house allowances of up to Ksh 140,600.

Lower-grade employees, such as those in CSG15, will earn between Ksh 21,120 and Ksh 26,250, with house allowances of up to Ksh 4,500.

Also Read: How February 2026 NSSF Changes Will Impact Your Salary

Implementation of the New Salary Structure

SRC noted that entertainment, extraneous, and domestic servant allowances have been consolidated into the salary market adjustment to ensure compliance with constitutional and statutory principles governing remuneration.

The commission further directed that the salary structure for unionisable staff be implemented through Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

The SRC said the approved remuneration framework aims to promote equity, fairness, and sustainability in public service pay while aligning compensation with job responsibilities and market realities.

Also Read: Lucrative Salary Chiefs Take Home and the Benefits They Enjoy

COTU

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has welcomed the revised pay structure for civil servants, describing it as a major New Year gift from the Government of Kenya.

In a statement, Atwoli said Public Service Principal Secretary Jane Imbunya had issued a circular confirming that civil servants’ basic pay and leave allowance have almost doubled under the new remuneration framework.

Also Read: Lucrative Salary Chiefs Take Home and the Benefits They Enjoy

He congratulated civil servants’ unions for pushing for better terms and commended President William Ruto for approving the pay review.

“PS Jane Imbunya has released a circular showing that Civil servants’ leave allowance and basic pay have almost been doubled as a New Year gift from the government of Kenya. Congratulations, civil servants’ union and President William Ruto. We are saying Tutam,” Atwoli said.

Follow our WhatsApp Channel and WhatsApp Community for Instant News Updates