Kenya’s Ministry of Interior and National Administration has announced a significant salary increase for personnel serving in the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, and the National Youth Service (NYS) as part of broader security sector reforms aimed at strengthening public institutions.
The announcement was made Wednesday by the National Steering Committee on Police, Prisons and NYS Reforms, chaired by Principal Secretary for Interior and National Administration Dr. Raymond Omollo.
Officials said the reforms are being implemented through a four-pillar strategy designed to improve service delivery, enhance professionalism and modernize the country’s criminal justice system.
The program focuses on institutional strengthening, improved service delivery, and the professional development and welfare of personnel across the three agencies.
Final phase to take effect in July 2026
Authorities said the final phase of the salary adjustments will take effect in July 2026, marking what officials describe as the largest pay increase implemented over three consecutive years since Kenya’s independence.
“Junior police officers will be the biggest beneficiaries of the presidentially approved salary reforms,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
Junior officers see largest gains
Under the new structure, the salary of a newly recruited police constable will increase to KSh 57,700, up from KSh 38,975, representing a 48% rise.
Personnel in the Kenya Prisons Service will also receive a 48% salary increase.
Meanwhile, newly graduated police recruits will begin earning KSh 29,296, compared with KSh 20,390 previously paid since July 2024—an increase of about 44%.
For National Youth Service officers at the lower ranks, monthly salaries will rise to between KSh 26,222 and KSh 37,912, up from the previous range of KSh 19,800 to KSh 32,315.
Higher ranks also affected
Once the reforms are fully implemented, senior police officers will earn a maximum basic monthly salary of KSh 345,850, up from KSh 289,090, a 20% increase.
Senior officials in the Kenya Prisons Service will earn between KSh 301,548 and KSh 584,903, compared with the previous range of KSh 292,765 to KSh 576,120.
A similar salary adjustment will also apply to senior officials within the National Youth Service.
Reforms implemented in phases
The pay adjustments began to be implemented in phases on July 1, 2024, following a government directive to roll out a 40% salary increase over a three-year period.
According to the Ministry of Interior, more than half of the planned reforms have already been implemented, with the National Police Service leading at 57.2% completion.
The salary review stems from recommendations made by a task force led by former Chief Justice David Maraga, which called for a comprehensive review of pay and welfare conditions for personnel in the security sector.
After receiving the report, President William Ruto directed the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to implement the proposed reforms.
However, officials said implementation faced financial constraints, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the full program requires approximately KSh 15 billion to complete.
