Many police officers in Kenya will remember 5th September 2024, the day the National Service Police Commission (NSPC) announced an increase in their salaries. This move will see all the Police officers receive a rise in their salaries from Ksh 4,000 to Ksh 21,000 based on their ranks and insignia. The structure of the Kenyan Police allows all its officers to serve up to 20 notches of salary increments each year.
The last Police salary increase was in 2018, when the lowest service rank (PG1) earned a starting Salary Of Ksh 21,645. However, with the new increase as announced by NPSC chairperson Eliud Kinuthia CBS, the lowest-rank Police constables will earn a starting basic salary of Ksh 25,645. In contrast, those in senior positions earn up to Ksh Ksh 221,915 without any allowances. If you are probably wondering how much Kenyan Police officers earn, plus allowances and benefits factored in, this article will walk you through everything you need to know.
Kenya Police Ranks and Insignia
The National Police Service of Kenya manages the Kenya Police forces under Article 243 of the Kenyan Constitution. To better serve the people of Kenya, the NPS is divided into the Kenya Police Service(KPS) and the Administration Police Service(APS), each headed by a Deputy Inspector General. In contrast, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation(DCI) is headed by a Director.
The National Police Service (NPS) of Kenya operates under a structured hierarchy of ranks, each with distinct responsibilities and qualifications. Usually, Fresh graduates are accorded the lowest ranks, starting with the Police Constable. However, with years of experience, they climb the ranks and reach seniority levels, such as Inspector General.
At the same time, Police uniforms in Kenya have insignia “Symbols” that show their ranks. These insignia are usually displayed on the shoulders or sleeves of the uniform. So, what are the police officers’ ranks in Kenya? Below is a detailed table with all the 13 Kenya Police ranks:
| # | 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 |  |
How much does a Kenyan Police Officer earn per month?
The Amount that Police officers earn in Kenya is closely tied to their Job Grades, similar to Job Groups used by civil servants in the Public sector. The Job Grades of Police officers in Kenya range from Ksh PG 1 to PG 12.
As of September 2024, Police officers in Kenya have seen a salary increase. Those in the lowest Job Grade, PG 1, the Police constables, will earn up to Ksh25,645 to Ksh69,640. Their salaries can increase as they continue serving with Promotions, up to Ksh409,365 for those in the highest Job Grade, PG12.
To help you understand Kenya’s Police salary structure in 2024, below is a table of all Ranks and their respective Salaries after the increase:
| 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
Besides the Basic salaries that Police officers receive in Kenya, they are also entitled to various allowances. These allowances are necessary to ensure their well-being, and by the way, not all officers are eligible for all the agencies. Some are musts, and some are given depending on the Job situation. The allowances they receive are
- House Allowance
- Hardship Allowance
- Risk Allowance
- Uniform Allowance
- Commuter Allowance
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 2024.
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, up from the previous Ksh 21,645 in 2023.
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.