KEFRI salary structure and allowances 2025: How Much they Earn

If you are working for the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) or planning to work for this organization, understanding its salary structure is an essential key to your career development. How much Employees earn at KEFRI varies, mostly influenced by the roles they find themselves working on and their Job grade. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the KEFRI Salary scale in 2025, breaking down everything that you need to understand.

The Kenya Forestry Research Institute is a governmental parastatal in Kenya, established in 1986. However, it has a long history, which can be traced back to 1934, when forestry research in Kenya started. The organization’s major objective today is to undertake research and provide technologies and information for the sustainable management, conservation, and development of forests and allied natural resources. It is guided by the Act No. 28 of 2013, Science, Technology and Innovation, provided by Kenya. KEFRI is headquartered in Muguga (north-west of Nairobi) but also has 5 regional research programmes with head offices in Gede, Kitui, Muguga, Londiani, and Maseno.

What Is the KEFRI Salary Structure in 2025?

KEFRI employees are all Kenyans based on either permanent, contract, or casual appointments, and they are all subject to earning different salaries. Permanent employees typically receive a fixed salary scale, while contract and casual workers may have different pay terms.

As per KEMRI Job employability terms, the Salary for the organization itself is based on a hierarchical job grading framework that spans from Grade 1 to Grade 15 and is determined by the KEMRI Board of Management in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry.

Like Salaries and Remuneration, which provide job groups in order of experience and rank, KEFRI follows a similar structure. It aims to ensure equitable pay across the organization. For example, entry-level positions fall within the lower grades, while senior management and specialized research roles occupy the higher grades.

In 2025, the amount KEFRI pays varies, but as per My Salary scale, the average monthly Salary at KEFRI hovers around Ksh 61,000, with higher positions, i.e., Research Scientists( job grade KEFRI 7) earning up to Ksh 400,000 annually.

KEFRI Allowances for Employees

The benefit of working with KEFRI is that aside from the usual Basic pay you receive at the end of the month, you will be able to receive several benefits, including allowances, which are meant to address the specific demands of your role. While not all employees receive allowances, some are compulsory, and some aren’t, but the allowances for KEFRI also vary according to job grade and responsibilities.

One key allowance is the acting allowance, paid to employees temporarily assuming duties of a higher post. This recognizes the additional responsibilities taken on without a permanent promotion. Similarly, the special duty allowance rewards staff called upon to perform tasks above their current grade when no promotion is available, reflecting KEFRI’s flexible operational needs.

There is also the medical allowance monthly non-accountable sum provided to all employees to support healthcare costs. For those exposed to occupational hazards, such as seed climbers and security guards, a risk allowance is paid to compensate for physical, chemical, or radiation risks encountered during duty.

Security personnel, particularly clerical officers in sensitive registry roles, receive a security allowance to acknowledge their critical functions. In addition to top-level management, including directors and program coordinators, they enjoy telephone and entertainment allowances, facilitating communication and official engagements. Lastly, all KEFRI employees receive a commuter allowance to offset transportation expenses

KEFRI Recruitment 2025 & Jobs

Every year, the Kenya Forestry Research Institute advertises quite a number of vacancies and encourages all Kenyans to apply. Working with KEFRI will not only help you advance your career but also earn various salaries, which vary depending on your role, as we have discussed above.

The organization usually advertises vacancies through the KEFRI recruitment portal or under the career section on its official website, so you need to be on the lookout for any available roles to avoid being locked by deadlines.

Some of the most commonly advertised jobs include:

Questions And Answers