This Comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about the Kenyan Navy ranks and their respective salaries. We will also touch on the Various allowances that they receive.
The Kenya Navy is part of Kenya’s defense forces (KDF). In Kenya, the KDF is the military organization in charge of protecting the country against external attacks as guided by Article 241 of the 2010 Kenyan constitution. The KDF is further broken down into three branches: Keny Army, Kenya, Kenya Airforce, and Finally, the Kenya Navy. The Kenya Navy was established in 1964, and its main objective is to defend and protect the country against sea-borne aggression. However, in emergencies, they can also cooperate with other authorities to restore peace in any part of the country affected by unrest. The main Vaval base of the Kenya Navy in Kenya is Mombasa County in the Mtongwe location and another one in Lamu County.
Kenya Navy Rank Structure
The Kenya Navy Rank is the same one used by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). KDF ranks are split into Commissioned officers (Officers) and non-commissioned officers (Service members).
The President of the Republic of Kenya is the commander of the defense forces, followed by the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces (also the only four-star General )for all three branches. The three branches (Kenya Navy, Kenya Airforce, and Kenya Army) are all led by service commanders.
Below are all the Kenya Navy Ranks:
Commissioned Officers

Commissioned Officers are the highest-ranking personnel in the Kenya Navy. They are appointed by the Commander-in-Chief and hold leadership and decision-making roles.
The ranks of Commissioned Officers in the Kenya Navy from high to low are as follows:
- General
- Lieutenant General
- Major General
- Brigadier
- Colonel
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Major
- Captain
- Lieutenant
- Second Lieutenant
Non-Commissioned Officers

Non-commissioned officers, on the other hand, are regarded as naval officers. Unlike the commissioned officers, they are not appointed by the commander-in-chief; instead, they are usually fresh recruits from the military academy and assigned everyday tasks. They are also not involved with the decision-making process within the Navy structure.
Their ranks from high to low are as follows:
- Warrant Officer Class I
- Warrant Officer Class II
- Senior Sergeant
- Sergeant
- Corporal
How much does the Kenya Navy earn per month?
The Salary of Kenya Navy officers is mostly influenced by their ranks, and the Salaries Remuneration Commission (SRC) determines how much each officer in the various Ranks earns every four years.
Below is a salary is the full salary of the Kenya Navy as of 2025:
Commissioned Officers Salaries
Rank | Monthly Salary (Ksh) |
---|---|
General | 902,432 |
Lieutenant General | 927,500 |
Major General | 906,014 |
Brigadier | 794,000 |
Colonel | 673,000 |
Lieutenant Colonel | 540,000 |
Major | 420,000 |
Captain | 153,317 |
Lieutenant | 102,106 |
Second Lieutenant | 73,182 |
Warrant Officer Class I | 48,000 |
Warrant Officer Class II | 42,000 |
Senior Sergeant | 36,000 |
Sergeant | 30,000 |
Corporal | 26,509 |
Kenya Navy Allowances
Besides the basic pay, there are other additional benefits that each member of the Kenyan Navy is entitled to. These allowances are compulsory to all officers and are only given to the officers in the event of specific situations. Some of the Key allowances include:
- Hardship Allowance
- Operational Allowance
- Sea Service Allowance
- Housing Allowance
- Medical and Dental Benefits
- Leave Allowance
FAQs On Kenya Navy
How much does a Kenya Navy earn per month?
How much a Kenyan navy officer earns in Kenya is closely tied to their rank structure. Within the Kenya navy, the General is the highest ranking member who earns up to Ksh 902,432, while the lowest serving member is the Corporal who earns up to Ksh 26,509
How much does a lieutenant colonel make in Kenya?
They earn up to Ksh 540,000 within the Kenya Navy Salary scale
Who is the highest rank in the Kenyan Navy?
The highest rank is that of a Major general who happens to be the commander Kenya Navy
Conclusion
Well, there you have it. We hope this guide has helped you understand how much the Kenya Navy officers earn in Kenya. The ranks solely influence the salaries that they receive. When it comes to ranks, there are two types, each with its own hierarchical structure. These are commission and non-commissioned officers, as discussed vividly in the article.