KEFRI Salary Scale 2026 ( Allowances & Jobs)

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. Employees’ earnings at KEFRI vary, largely influenced by their roles and job grades. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the KEFRI salary scale in 2026, breaking down everything that you need to understand.

Jump Into What Matters

The Kenya Forestry Research Institute is a government parastatal established in 1986. However, it has a long history, dating back to 1934, when forestry research in Kenya began. The organization’s primary objective today is to conduct research and provide technologies and information to support the sustainable management, conservation, and development of forests and related natural resources. It is guided by the Science, Technology, and Innovation Act No. 28 of 2013, as 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.

KEFRI Salary Structure

KEFRI employees are all Kenyans, employed on permanent, contract, or casual appointments, and they are all subject to different salary scales. Permanent employees typically receive a fixed salary scale, while contract and casual workers may have different pay terms. Pensioners are also employed on contract terms if they are Kenyan nationals, providing essential and mandatory services.

In accordance with KEFRI’s job-employability terms, the organization’s salary scale is based on a hierarchical grading framework spanning Grades 1 to 15 and is determined by the KEFRI Board of Management in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry.

Like Salaries and Remuneration, which provide job groups ordered by 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 2026, 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.

What Is the Starting Salary at KEFRI?

KEFRI starting salaries vary by role, but data from various job websites suggest the following entry-level salary ranges in 2026:

Intern: Around KSh 22,000 per month
Administrative assistant: Around KSh 42,000 per month
Human resources assistant: Around KSh 64,000 per month
Supply chain officer (entry level): Around KSh 74,000 per month (estimated)
General average: Around KSh 60,000 – KSh 63,000 per month across various roles

To get the most accurate starting salary for a specific role, you should look at recent KEFRI job advertisements on the KEFRI website under their careers/eRecruitment section, as salaries are tied to specific government pay scales (grades) and job requirements

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 mandatory, and others aren’t. KEFRI allowances also vary by job grade and responsibilities.

One key allowance is the acting allowance, paid to employees who temporarily assume the duties of a higher post. This acknowledges the additional responsibilities assumed 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, a 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 recognize the critical nature of their functions. In addition, top-level management, including directors and program coordinators, receives telephone and entertainment allowances to facilitate communication and official engagements.

Other key allowances include:

House allowance
Commuter allowance
Leave allowance
Retirement benefits

KEFRI Recruitment 2026 & 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:

#	Job Title	Grade	Requirements
1	Research Scientist (Silviculture)	KEFRI 7b	KCSE C+; BSc Forestry/Silviculture (Upper 2nd); MSc Silviculture; 2 journal papers; computer skills.
2	Research Scientist (Wood Science – Wood Composite)	KEFRI 7b	KCSE C+; BSc Wood Science (Upper 2nd); MSc Wood Composite; 2 journal papers; computer skills.
3	Research Scientist (Forest Catchment & Hydrology)	KEFRI 7b	KCSE C+; BSc Forestry/Environmental Science (Upper 2nd); MSc Forest Hydrology; 2 journal papers; computer skills.
4	Research Scientist (Tree Physiology)	KEFRI 7b	KCSE C+; BSc Forestry/Botany (Upper 2nd); MSc Tree Physiology; 2 journal papers; computer skills.
5	Research Scientist (Climate Change – Biophysical)	KEFRI 7b	KCSE C+; BSc Environmental Science (Upper 2nd); MSc Climate Change; 2 journal papers; computer skills.
6	Research Scientist (Climate Change – Carbon Audit & Accounting)	KEFRI 7b	KCSE C+; BSc Environmental Science (Upper 2nd); MSc Climate Change; 2 journal papers; computer skills.
7	Research Scientist (Molecular Science)	KEFRI 7b	KCSE C+; BSc Biotechnology (Upper 2nd); MSc Biotechnology; 2 journal papers; computer skills.
8	Research Scientist (Silviculture)	KEFRI 7a	KCSE C+; BSc Forestry (Upper 2nd); 2 technical reports; computer skills.
9	Research Scientist (Pathology)	KEFRI 7a	KCSE C+; BSc Forestry/Botany (Upper 2nd); 2 technical reports; computer skills.
10	Research Scientist (Environmental/Agricultural Economics)	KEFRI 7a	KCSE C+; BSc Forestry/Agricultural Economics (Upper 2nd); 2 technical reports; SAS/SPSS skills.
11	Research Scientist (Wood Science)	KEFRI 7a	KCSE C+; BSc Wood Science (Upper 2nd); 2 technical reports; computer skills.
12	Research Scientist (Taxonomy)	KEFRI 7a	KCSE C+; BSc Forestry/Environmental Science (Upper 2nd); 2 technical reports; computer skills.
13	Research Scientist (General Forestry)	KEFRI 7a	KCSE C+; BSc Forestry (Upper 2nd); 2 technical reports; computer skills.
14	Assistant Forester	KEFRI 9	KCSE C-; Diploma in Forestry; computer skills.
15	Assistant Lab Technologist (Analytical Chemistry)	KEFRI 9	KCSE C-; Diploma in Analytical Chemistry; computer skills.
16	Assistant Lab Technologist (Seed)	KEFRI 9	KCSE C-; Diploma in Applied Biology; computer skills.
17	Assistant Lab Technologist (Taxonomy)	KEFRI 9	KCSE C-; Diploma in Applied Biology; computer skills.
18	Assistant Lab Technologist (Pathology)	KEFRI 9	KCSE C-; Diploma in Applied Biology; computer skills.
19	Manager Supply Chain Management	KEFRI 3	13 years’ experience; Master’s in Supply Chain; CPA/CIPS membership; KCSE C+.
20	Accountant	KEFRI 7	KCSE C+; BCom/BA Finance; CPA Part II; computer skills.
21	Office Administrator	KEFRI 7	KCSE C+; BSc Secretarial Studies or KNEC certifications; computer skills.
22	Internal Auditor	KEFRI 7	KCSE C+; BCom/BA Finance; CPA Part II; computer skills.
23	Human Resource Management Officer	KEFRI 7	KCSE C+; BSc Social Sciences + HR Diploma; computer skills.
24	Assistant HR Management Officer	KEFRI 9	KCSE C-; Diploma in HR; computer skills.
25	Assistant Supply Chain Management Officer	KEFRI 9	KCSE C-; Diploma in Purchasing; KISM/CIPS membership; computer skills.
26	ICT Officer (System/Data Analyst)	KEFRI 7	KCSE C+; BSc IT/Computer Science; programming skills.
27	ICT Officer (Information Security)	KEFRI 7	KCSE C+; BSc IT/Computer Science; ISO 27001 knowledge.

How to Apply for KEFRI

To apply to the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), you generally need to follow these steps:

Check the KEFRI website under the careers section or the recruitment portal for current openings
Gather your CV, copies of relevant professional/academic certificates, national identification card, day and evening telephone numbers, email address, and names and addresses of three referees
KEFRI requires online submissions through their official forms portal (links are provided in job advertisements)
In addition to the online application, applicants should send hard copy applications to: The Director/CEO, Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), P.O. BOX 20412-00200, City Square, NAIROBI
Ensure you submit your application before the specified closing date, typically by 5:00 PM

FAQs

What is the salary structure of KEFRI?

KEFRI follows a hierarchical job grading framework spanning Grades 1 to 15, established by the KEFRI Board of Management in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry. The average monthly salary at KEFRI is approximately KSh 61,000, whereby Entry-level positions, such as interns, earn approximately KSh 22,000 per month, while Research Scientists in job grade KEFRI 7 can earn up to KSh 400,000 annually.

How much is a level 7 salary in Kenya?

In the Kenyan civil service, level 7 (CSG7) staff earn between KSh 94,120 and KSh 142,590 per month as of July 2025, with leave allowances ranging from KSh 8,000 to KSh 35,000 per year.