Kenya Police Service: Ranks, Salary Structure for Officers in 2025

Kenya Police Service: Ranks, Salary Structure for Officers in 2025

  • President William Ruto's administration reviewed the salaries of police officers following a recommendation by the David Maraga Taskforce
  • The National Police Service Commission announced that 1,957 police constables, aged 53 to 59, who had been in the same position for more than 30 years, had been promoted
  • The commission revealed that the basic salary for police constables at the entry level had been increased by KSh 4,000 from KSh 21,645 to KSh 25,645
  • Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, security expert Martin Nyaga said the police salary review aims to boost morale, professionalism, and service delivery

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering profound insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

In September 2024, the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) announced new, increased salaries for Kenyan police officers.

Kanja speaks at a past event.
IG Douglas Kanja is the top cop in Kenya. He earns KSh 819,844. Photo: NPS.
Source: Twitter

The Kenya Police Service is established by the Constitution of Kenya as one of the services constituting the National Police Service.

Why did Kenya increase salaries for police officers?

This followed the recommendations of a task force headed by former chief justice David Maraga to improve the welfare of officers countrywide.

NPSC announced that 1,957 police constables, aged 53 to 59, who had been in the same position for more than 30 years, had been promoted.

While announcing new salaries, the commission revealed that the basic salary for police constables at the entry level had been increased by KSh 4,000 from KSh 21,645 to KSh 25,645.

"Based on Maraga's recommendations, the commission approved the promotion of 31 chief inspectors, 88 inspectors, 24 senior sergeants, 98 sergeants, 319 corporals, and 629 police constables," NPSC stated.

How many ranks does Kenya Police Service have?

There are 12 job groups of the Kenyan police. These are F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, and S.

Police officers at a parade.
Constable is the entry-level rank for police officers in Kenya. Photo: NPS.
Source: Facebook

Degree holders are in Job Group J, while police constables with only O-level qualifications (or an equal KCSE mean grade) are in Job Group F.

However, because they entered the system years before the government implemented new regulations, some high-ranking police officers lack degrees.

Besides the lowest rank of constable, below are the other ranks in the Kenya Police Service according to the National Police Service Act.

RankCategory
1.Inspector general
2.Deputy inspector-general
3.Senior assistant inspector-general
4.Assistant inspector-general
5.Commissioner of police
6.Senior superintendent
7.Superintendent:
8.Assistant superintendent
9.Chief inspector
10.Inspector
11.Senior sergeant
12.Sergeant
13.Corporal

How much do police officers earn in Kenya?

Job groupSalary (KSh)
F25,654
G30,303
I43,050
J47,586
K50,820
L56,112
M63,756
N68,124
082,908
P137,256
Q201,306
R252,126

Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, security expert and policy analyst Martin Nyaga explained that the recent police salary review is not just about remuneration but part of a broader strategy to restore morale and professionalism in the force. He noted that years of stagnation in promotions and poor pay had affected service delivery and accountability within the National Police Service.

"This salary increment, although modest, signals a shift in how we value security personnel. It’s a long-overdue correction that gives dignity to officers who have faithfully served the country for over 30 years without recognition. It also addresses the risk of corruption by improving their economic wellbeing," Nyaga told TUKO.co.ke.

What's the salary of an IG and a DIG?

According to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the IG earns a gross salary of KSh 819,844.

The IG's salary is inclusive of a basic salary of KSh 410,540, a house allowance of KSh 150,000 and a salary market adjustment of KSh 123,603.

On the other hand, TUKO.co.ke reported that the deputy inspector-general's pay is set at KSh 684,233, up from KSh 652,742 in the 2023/2024 financial year.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Authors:
Japhet Ruto avatar

Japhet Ruto (Current Affairs and Business Editor) Japhet Ruto is an award-winning TUKO.co.ke journalist with over eight years of working experience in the media industry. Ruto graduated from Moi University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Journalism. He is a Business & Tech Editor. Ruto won the 2019 BAKE Awards’ Agriculture Blog of the Year. He was named TUKO.co.ke's best current affairs editor in 2020 and 2021. In 2022 and 2023, he was TUKO.co.ke's best business editor. He completed the Experimenting with new formats and Advance digital reporting curriculum from Google News Initiative. Email: japhet.ruto@tuko.co.ke.