For a very long time in Kenya, Police members have been among the most underpaid Public officers, especially for members in the lower ranks and Cadres. However, in 2025, Police Officers can now breathe a sigh of relief when looking at the Police due to the Salary hikes that the National Service Police Commission (NSPC) announced on 5th September 2024 after the government allocated Ksh 25 billion leading to 40% salary increment across all ranks all the rabnks of the police.
Looking back, the 2024/2025 Police salary has been a review of progress, with the first increase happening from 2015 to 2018, when the police officers were to receive a 100% base pay increase for all officers phased over four years. During this period, Police officers, especially constables in entry-level roles, saw a rise from Ksh 14,000 to Ksh 28,000 in 2018 before being slashed in 2019 by 30%, leading to nationwide protests.
So, if you are wondering how much Police Officers really earn in Kenya as of 2025, this guide will tell you, including the Various allowances they are all entitled to receive.
Kenya Police Ranks and Job Groups
The National Police Service of Kenya manages the Kenya Police forces under Article 243 of the Kenyan Constitution, which provides all the functions that the NSPC was designed to perform. The Kenyan constitution has given the National Service Police Commission powers to divide the Kenya Police into various categories as follows:
- Kenya Police Service(KPS)
- Directorate of Criminal Investigation(DCI)
- Administration Police Service(APS)
Each unit is headed by a deputy inspector general with similar ranks, except for the DCI, which is a director. Each has distinct roles to better serve Kenyans. Additionally, there are 12 Kenya Police Job groups from PG1–PG12, where PG1 is the lowest rank, while PG12 is the highest rank for seniority levels, such as that of an Inspector General.
Each rank within the Kenya Police is uniquely identified using the Police Uniforms that have insignia “Symbols” that show their ranks. These insignia are usually displayed on the shoulders or sleeves of the uniform, except for the rank of a Police constable, which has no Symbol. Below is a table of all the Kenya Police Ranks from the lowest to the highest, along with their insignia:
| # | Rank (Low To Highest) | Badges |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Police Constable | No insignia |
| 2 | Corporal |  |
| 3 | Sergeant |  |
| 4 | Senior Sergeant |  |
| 5 | Inspector |  |
| 6 | Chief Inspector |  |
| 7 | Assistant Superintendent |  |
| 8 | Superintendent |  |
| 9 | Senior Superintendent |  |
| 10 | Commissioner of Police |  |
| 11 | Assistant Inspector General |  |
| 12 | Senior Assistant Inspector General |  |
| 13 | Inspector General |  |
Kenya Police Salaries In 2025
How much do police officers get paid in Kenya per month? Police officers’ salaries are structured through a 13-tier rank system and 12 job groups (PG1–PG12), where earnings are structured to reflect Seniority, Risk exposure, and specialised roles.
The salaries of Kenya police officers range from Ksh 25,645 for Entry-level constables to over Ksh 400,00 for senior officers in the PG12 Job Group. Below is a detailed table that illustrates the earnings across all the Kenza Police Job Groups:
| Police Grade (PG) | Rank | New Basic Salary (After Ksh 4K/21K Increase) | Maximum with Allowances |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG 1 | Police Constable | Ksh 25,645 | Ksh 69,640 |
| PG 2 | Corporal | Ksh 57,915 | Ksh 83,445 |
| PG 3 | Sergeant | Ksh 69,115 | Ksh 87,435 |
| PG 4 | Senior Sergeant | Ksh 75,586 | Ksh 92,500 |
| PG 5 | Inspector | Ksh 89,405 | Ksh 118,815 |
| PG 6 | Chief Inspector | Ksh 89,405 | Ksh 118,815 |
| PG 7 | Assistant Superintendent | Ksh 95,756 | Ksh 135,000 |
| PG 8 | Superintendent | Ksh 98,124 | Ksh 145,000 |
| PG 9 | Senior Superintendent | Ksh 112,908 | Ksh 160,000 |
| PG 10 | Commissioner of Police | Ksh 134,815 | Ksh 169,835 |
| PG 11 | Assistant Inspector General | Ksh 201,306 | Ksh 250,000 |
| PG 12 | Senior Assistant Inspector General | Ksh 221,915 | Ksh 409,365 |
Kenya Police Allowances
Like the Civil Service in Kenya, Kenya Police officers ‘ gross pay is also influenced by the various allowances on their basic salaries. These allowances are as follows:
- House Allowance: Provided to cater for the different living conditions in the counties in which the office is posted, this allowance is not constant but ranges from Ksh 4,200 for constables to Ksh 75,000 for senior officers, with those in urban centres such as Major cities including Nairobi, Kisumu, and Eldoret earning more than those in Rural settings.
- Risk Allowance: This allowance adds 25–35% to the base pay only for the police officers assigned to high-threat units like the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) and Bomb Disposal Unit.
- Commuter Allowance: It ranges between Ksh 4,000–12,000 based on rank and is paid quarterly to officers who are on the move
- Uniform Maintenance: It is Ksh 3,500, and it is to be paid monthly for all ranks, replacing the outdated clothing grant system
FAQs
What is the highest salary of a police officer per month?
The Highest Salary of a police officer in Kenya is that of a Senior Assistant Inspector General, who earns up to a maximum of KES 409,365 as of 2025.
What is the salary of DCI in Kenya?
As Per the Gazette Notice by SRC, the director of DCI earns a basic salary of KSh372,750. In addition, there are allowances such as a House Allowance of KSh100,000 and a Salary Market Adjustment of KSh148,400, bringing the total amount up to KSh621,250.
Who is the head of police in Kenya?
Douglas Kanja steps in as the head of Police in Kenya from July 2024, replacing Douglas Kanja, who resigned
What is the starting salary for a new police recruit in Kenya?
The starting of a Police recruit or a Constable is Ksh 25,645.
How can I apply to join the Kenya Police Service?
Applications to Join the Kenya Police are made after the National Service Police Commission announces recruitment or vacancies on its website. You can visit the Kenya police website at https://www.npsc.go.ke/ and navigate to the career section to see if there are advertised positions.
Conclusion
I hope this article has given you a clear picture of how much Kenyan police earn. In 2024, the National Service Police Commission changed Police salary scales in Kenya. Police officers in Kenya earn a monthly salary of between KES 25,645 and KES 409,365. As you consider joining the Kenya Police, we wish you all the best.
