Once every few years, the Kenyan government, through the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), usually makes amendments to how much Civil servants earn in Kenya. However, a few, like police officers, KDF officers, and even prison officers, aren’t civil servants but men of the uniform who play various roles, and their Salaries are put forward by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) instead of the SRC. In this guide, however, our major focus will be on how much Kenya prison officers earn in Kenya. But if you are interested in knowing the Salaries of KDF military officers, you can also check out this article.
Until 2020, Police officers in Kenya had not received any Salary increase. It was not until August 2023 that the NPSC revealed the third remuneration review cycle for the officers and civilians within the service for 2021-2025. So, what is the Kenya Prisons Salary scale? This article provides a detailed breakdown of KPS officers’ salaries and allowances in 2025.
What Are the Salaries for Kenya Prison Officers in 2025?
The third remuneration review cycle for Salaries increased, as announced by the Kenyan government, resulting in pay increases ranging from 6% to 19% for different force members. As per the new salary scale, how much a KPS officer earns is closely tied to their Ranks and Pay Grade rather than Job Groups, as used by SRC in determining the salaries of civil servants.
In 2025, the highest rank for KPS officers is Commissioner General of Prisons, who earns Ksh 180,337 as a basic salary under Pay Grade 14. The lowest member in the rank is a constable, who earns the lowest salary of Ksh 16,890 per month.
To better illustrate these changes, a table comparing salaries across ranks and Pay Grades can be seen below:
| Position | Pay Grade | Salary (KES) |
|---|---|---|
| Commissioner General of Prisons | 14 | 180,337 |
| Deputy Commissioner General | 13 | 166,780 |
| Senior Assistant Commissioner General | 12 | 132,000 |
| Assistant Commissioner General | 11 | 119,730 |
| Deputy Commissioner | 10 | 98,500 |
| Assistant Commissioner | 9 | 85,110 |
| Senior Superintendent of Prisons | 8 | 55,110 |
| Superintendent | 7 | 47,780 |
| Chief Inspector | 6 | 41,770 |
| Kenya Prisons Cadets | 5 | 40,000 |
| Inspector | 5 | 37,070 |
| Senior Sergeant | 4 | 30,170 |
| Sergeant | 3 | 24,580 |
| Corporal | 2 | 21,500 |
| Constable | 1 | 16,890 |
Allowances and Benefits for Kenya Prison Officers
Just like the way Civil servants in the country are entitled to various allowances, the NPSC follows the same criteria used by SRC in determining the allowances for Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) officers on top of their basic salaries as we have discussed above. The purpose of allowances is just to help the officers address the various challenges that they face in their line of duty, such as working in high-risk environments and even remote areas, among others.
When it comes to the allowances they receive, it is just the same as their salaries, mainly influenced by the Ranks they are in and Pay Grades. As of 2025, the actual figures aren’t in public, however, the following are the types of allowances that each prison officer is entitled to receiving:
- Housing Allowance: This varies by location. Officers are placed in three clusters. First, there is cluster 1 that represents officers in urban centers or large cities like Nairobi who receive higher allowances, followed by Cluster 2 officers at county governments who receive second highest allowances, followed by cluster 3.
- Risk Allowance: Officers in maximum-security prisons handling high-risk offenders are eligible for a risk allowance of up to 25% of their basic salary.
- Hardship Allowance: Officers posted in remote or hardship areas receive additional compensation to offset the cost of living and isolation.
- Transfer allowance: Offered to cover relocation expenses when an officer is reassigned to a new work station.
- Acting allowance: Paid to officers who temporarily take on the responsibilities of a higher-ranking position.
How Are Promotions and Salary Increments Determined?
Promotions and salary increments within the Kenya Prisons Service are determined by a combination of factors, including merit, experience, qualifications, and discipline. However, for an officer to be given a promotion, it is a requirement that they must have served for a minimum of two to three years in their current rank, but if an officer is noted for their good performance, they can have a promotion even before the said duration.
The best part of Kenya Prisons’ promotions is that they are directly linked to salary increments. As an officer is promoted from one rank to another, they can have a significant increase in basic salary depending on the promotion level. For example, an officer promoted from constable to corporal may see their salary rise from Ksh 16,890 to Ksh 21,500.
Questions And Answers
How much does CID pay in Kenya?
The average basic monthly salary for CID officers is approximately Ksh 61,000 as of 2025
What are the 5 categories of prisons in Kenya?
Prison types in Kenya include maximum security prisons for high-risk offenders, medium security prisons for moderate-risk inmates, low/open custody prisons for prisoners posing minimal threats, remand centres for individuals awaiting trial, and rehabilitation camps aimed at reforming offenders through specialized programs
How much is Kenya police salary per month?
The salary of Kenyan police officers is mainly influenced by their ranks. For example, Entry-level police constables earn a basic monthly salary of KSh 25,645, while the longest-serving constables can earn up to KSh 69,640, including allowances. On the other hand, Senior ranks like the Senior Assistant Inspector General earn between KSh 221,915 and KSh 409,365
What is cap 90 in Kenya prisons?
Every prisoner confined in any prison shall be deemed to be in the lawful custody of the officer in charge of the prison and shall be categorized and detained in such manner as to take into account the safety of the prisoner, of the public and of other persons in the prison.
How many prisons do we have in Kenya?
118
Well, we trust that this article has helped you understand the Kenya Prisons salary scale, which mainly influences the pay grades. Those at the higher levels can pay up to Ksh 180,337 and even higher if allowances are factored while those at the lower levels earn a minimum of Ksh 16,890 per month.
