In Kenya, the ratio between the employed and the unemployed is still wide. From time to time, many organizations, including the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), advertise for various job positions to narrow the gap. And for those who are looking forward to Join KEMRI as an employee understanding how much the pay is also crucial to your Career Success.
Unfortunately, when it comes to KEMRI Salary scales in 2025, the organization has not yet revealed how much it pays its employees. However, since KEMRI is a state-owned organization, its salary scale is mainly influenced by the SRC job groups. You can take a look at these SRC Job Groups 2025 to understand how much civil servants earn in Kenya as of 2025. And what about KEMRI salary scales? Below, we have covered everything.
What is KEMRI?
As its name suggests, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is a medical research institute in Kenya established in 1979 to promote Kenya’s health policies through its research and scientific approach to various disciplines, including infectious and parasitic diseases, public health, reproductive health, and non-communicable diseases.
According to the organization’s website, its vision is to be a global leader in health research, and its mission is to improve the health and well-being of Kenyans and the global community through research, innovation, and capacity building.
KEMRI salary scales
Since KEMRI is a government-owned institution in Kenya, all its employees are categorized as Civil servants. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission of Kenya ( SRC) sets and reviews civil servant salaries as guided by Article 230(4) of the Kenyan Constitution, 2010.
The Job Groups for KEMRI depend on the seniority or role its employees fall into. In general, however KEMRI job group falls between MR/14, which holds those in leadership positions, such as Chief Finance officer and Legal Officers, to MR/5 for employees in Junior positions, such as nursing officers. Below is a Table of all the KEMRI job groups to help you understand:
| Job Group | Role |
|---|---|
| MR/14 | Chief Finance Officer, Chief Legal Officer |
| MR/12 | Research Scientist |
| MR/11 | Research Officer |
| MR/10 | Assistant Research Officer |
| MR/7/8 | Laboratory Technologist |
| MR/5 | Senior Nursing Officer |
What we have just listed above are a few Positions, and so when it comes to their actual salaries of how much they earn, According to the Glassdoor website, KEMRI salary scales for most employees are estimated to be the following:
| No. | Job Title | Total Pay Range (Ksh) | Base Pay (Ksh) | Additional Pay (Ksh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intern | 20K – 25K | 25K | 0 |
| 2 | Internship | 20K – 25K | 25K | 0 |
| 3 | Research Assistant | 78K – 122K | 81K | 0 |
| 4 | Research Scientist | 25K – 132K | 130K | 0 |
| 5 | Research Officer | 69K – 180K | 80K | 0 |
| 6 | Research Scientist | 132K – 175K | 150K | 25K |
| 7 | Research Assistant | 83K – 100K | 84K | 0 |
| 8 | Laboratory Assistant | 24K – 24K | 24K | 0 |
| 9 | Driver | 30K – 54K | 42K | 0 |
| 10 | Lab Technician | 40K – 100K | 70K | 0 |
| 11 | Health Records Officer | 5K – 5K | 5K | 0 |
| 12 | Senior Research Officer | 257K – 279K | 269K | 0 |
| 13 | Public Health Practitioner | 87K – 93K | 90K | 0 |
| 14 | Lab Technician | 57K – 62K | 60K | 0 |
| 15 | Research Scientist | 145K – 156K | 150K | 0 |
| 16 | Clinical Data Manager | 105K – 113K | 110K | 0 |
| 17 | Study Nurse | 91K – 99K | 96K | 0 |
| 18 | Laboratory Analyst | 16K – 17K | 17K | 0 |
| 19 | Pharmacist | 96K – 104K | 100K | 0 |
| 20 | Bio Statistician | 24K – 26K | 25K | 0 |
KEMRI Allowances 2025
In addition to the basic salary, KEMRI employees are entitled to various allowances that enhance their overall compensation package. These allowances help to cover specific expenses and contribute to a comfortable lifestyle. They Include:
- House Allowance
- Commuter Allowance
- Leave Allowance
- Medical Allowance
The specific amounts for these allowances may vary depending on your job group and location.
KEMRI recruitment 2025
For those looking for KEMRI jobs in 2025, you will be glad to know that the Organisations usually advertise jobs from time to time through the KEMRI Career portal. If you are looking to apply for its positions, ensure that you meet the requirements of the specified Jobs listed and then proceed with the application process. Some of the advertised Posions as of the writing of the article are as follows:
| No. | Position | Location | Posting Date | Number of Posts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study Coordinator | Kajiado | 01 April | 1 |
| 2 | Research Assistant | Kajiado County | 01 April | 4 |
| 3 | Study Administrator | Kisumu | 01 April | 2 |
| 4 | Community Tracker | Kisumu | 01 April | 3 |
| 5 | Community Liaison Officer | Kisumu | 01 April | 1 |
| 6 | Laboratory Technologist | Kisumu | 01 April | 1 |
| 7 | Cleaner/Messenger | Kisumu | 01 April | 1 |
| 8 | Data Clerk | Kisumu | 01 April | 1 |
| 9 | Data Manager | Kisumu | 01 April | 2 |
| 10 | Study Nurse | Kisumu | 01 April | 2 |
| 11 | Pharmaceutical Technologist | Kisumu | 01 April | 1 |
| 12 | Registered Clinical Officer | Kisumu | 01 April | 1 |
| 13 | Medical Officer | Kisumu | 01 April | 1 |
| 14 | Receptionist | Kisumu | 01 April | 1 |
| 15 | Logistics/Administration Intern | Migori | 01 April | 1 |
| 16 | Logistics/Administration Intern | Kisumu | 01 April | 1 |
| 17 | Driver | Kisumu | 24 March | 2 |
| 18 | Driver | Isiolo | 24 March | 1 |
To Apply for any of the above positions:
- Visit the KEMRI Career section on its website or the KEMRI Recruitment portal. Here, you will find various Job Positions Posted.
- Click on the Job Position that suits you best and review its description. Here, you will understand what is needed from you and whether you Qualify to apply for the Job.
- If you meet the requirements proceed and register on the erecruitment.kemri.go.ke (KEMRI Recruitment Portal)
- Fill in the registration form by providing your details
- Once in your accounts Dashboard, fill in the Job Application form and proceed with the rest of the prompts to submit
FAQs
How much does a research scientist earn in KEMRI?
The estimated total pay range for a Research Scientist at Kenya Medical Research Institute is $83K—$144K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average base salary is $98K per year.
Which ministry is KEMRI under?
It operates under the Ministry of Health in Kenya
What qualifications do you need for KEMRI?
The advertised position mainly determines the qualifications you need for a job at KEMRI. Some more experienced roles, such as nursing research scientist, require you to produce relevant academic certifications, while others, such as driver positions, don’t. However, generally, all positions require that you meet the following:
- Planning and Organizational skills;
- Communication and reporting skills;
- Interpersonal skills;
- Creativity and Innovativeness;
- Critical thinking skills
- Team player
Who is the director of KEMRI in Nairobi?
Prof. Sam Kariuki is the acting Director-General of KEMRI and a scientist at the Centre for Microbiology Research at KEMRI in Nairobi.
How much does Kemri pay interns?
Interns at KEMRI are paid an average of KES 20K – KES 25K per month or KES 240K–KES 300K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Intern base salary at Kenya Medical Research Institute is KES 300K per year.
What is the salary scale for nurses in Kemri?
The estimated total salary range for a Registered Nurse at Kenya Medical Research Institute is KES 67K–KES 73K monthly, including base salary and additional pay. The average Registered Nurse base salary is KES 70K per month.
Does KEMRI offer attachments?
Yes, the Institute offers an attachment program for students in their third or fourth year of studies. The program runs every quarter from January to April, July, and October.
Final Word
This article has shed light on how much KEMRI employees make in Kenya. As we have seen, the Research Institute offers a compelling combination of competitive salaries, allowances, and benefits, making it an attractive employer for those passionate about medical research in Kenya.
If Medical research is your thing, friend, consider KEMRI and be ready to contribute to groundbreaking research and positively impact public health. You Can visit the KEMRI career portal to look for active Job Vacancies posted
All the Best
