For a very long time in Kenya, Police members have been among the most underpaid Public officers, especially for members in the lower ranks and Cadres. However, in 2026, Police Officers can now breathe a sigh of relief when looking at the Police salaries due to the salary hikes that the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) announced on 4th September 2024, after the government allocated Ksh 25 billion, leading to a 40% salary increment across all ranks of the police.
Looking back, the 2025/2026 Police salary has been a review of progress, with the first increase happening from 2015 to 2018, when the police officers were to receive a 100% base pay increase for all officers phased over four years. During this period, Police officers, especially constables in entry-level roles, saw a rise from Ksh 14,000 to Ksh 28,000 in 2018, before being slashed by 30% in 2019, leading to nationwide protests.
So, if you are wondering how much Police Officers really earn in Kenya as of 2026, this guide will tell you, including the various allowances they are entitled to.
Kenya Police Ranks and Job Groups
The National Police Service of Kenya manages the Kenya Police forces under Article 243 of the Kenyan Constitution, which provides all the functions that the NPSC was designed to perform. The Kenyan constitution has given the National Police Service Commission powers to divide the Kenya Police into various categories as follows:
- Kenya Police Service (KPS)
- Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
- Administration Police Service (APS)
Each unit is headed by a deputy inspector general with similar ranks, except for the DCI, which is a director. Each has distinct roles to better serve Kenyans. Additionally, there are 12 Kenya Police Job groups from PG1–PG12, where PG1 is the lowest rank, and PG12 is the highest rank for seniority, such as that of an Inspector General.
Each rank within the Kenya Police is uniquely identified by the Police Uniforms, which feature insignia “Symbols” indicating their rank. These insignia are usually displayed on the shoulders or sleeves of the uniform, except for the rank of a Police constable, which has no Symbol.
Kenya Police Salaries In 2026
How much do police officers get paid in Kenya per month? Police officers’ salaries are structured through a 13-tier rank system and 12 job groups (PG1–PG12), where earnings reflect Seniority, Risk exposure, and specialised roles.
The salaries of Kenya police officers range from Ksh 30,000 for Entry-level constables to over Ksh 420,000 for senior officers in the PG12 Job Group. Below is a detailed table that illustrates the earnings across all the Kenya Police Job Groups:
| Job Group | Rank | Minimum (Ksh) | Maximum (Ksh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG 1 | Police Constable | 25,645 | 56,495 |
| PG 2 | Corporal | 38,560 | 85,465 |
| PG 3 | Sergeant | 54,360 | 101,405 |
| PG 4 | Senior Sergeant | 65,200 | 82,400 |
| PG 5 | Inspector | 93,945 | 131,145 |
| PG 6 | Chief Inspector | 106,415 | 131,145 |
| PG 7 | Assistant Superintendent | 122,305 | 157,875 |
| PG 8 | Superintendent | 167,235 | 207,075 |
| PG 9 | Senior Superintendent | 182,515 | 219,035 |
| PG 10 | Commissioner of Police | 218,075 | 267,935 |
| PG 11 | Assistant Inspector General | 286,000 | 361,750 |
| PG 12 | Senior Assistant Inspector General | 348,500 | 420,000 |
The National Police Service structure allows police officers to receive up to 20 salary increments per year. Officers enter the structure at notch one, earning Ksh 25,645, and progress annually through the notches if promotion doesn’t materialize within their current rank.
Kenya Police Rank-by-Rank Estimated Gross Monthly Salary
Beyond the job group table above, it is helpful to understand what each specific rank earns in estimated gross monthly pay — inclusive of basic salary and standard allowances. The table below covers all ranks from the lowest to the highest, including the Inspector General:
| Rank | Estimated Monthly Gross Salary (Ksh) |
|---|---|
| Inspector General of Police | 1,054,000 – 1,200,000 |
| Senior Assistant Inspector General | 348,500 – 420,000 |
| Assistant Inspector General | 286,000 – 361,750 |
| Commissioner of Police | 218,075 – 267,935 |
| Senior Superintendent | 182,515 – 219,035 |
| Superintendent | 167,235 – 207,075 |
| Assistant Superintendent | 122,305 – 157,875 |
| Chief Inspector | 106,415 – 131,145 |
| Inspector | 93,945 – 131,145 |
| Senior Sergeant | 65,200 – 82,400 |
| Sergeant | 54,360 – 101,405 |
| Corporal | 38,560 – 85,465 |
| Constable | 30,000 – 56,495 |
Kenya Police 2026 Salary Increment — What Changed
The 2025/2026 salary review implemented by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) represents the most significant pay adjustment for Kenya’s police officers in recent history. The increment was announced on 4th September 2024, following the government’s allocation of Ksh 25 billion to the National Police Service, and was implemented in phases.facebook+1
Phase 1 took effect immediately upon announcement in September 2024, raising entry-level constable basic pay from Ksh 21,645 to Ksh 25,645 — an increase of Ksh 4,000 per month at the basic pay level. This phase applied across all ranks proportionally, with long-serving constables seeing their basic pay rise from Ksh 40,354 to Ksh 56,495.facebook+1
Phase 2 continued the upward trajectory, with the fully implemented 2026 gross pay now reflecting the following key movements across select ranks:
- Newly recruited constable: Ksh 21,645 → Ksh 30,000 (gross)
- Long-serving constable: Ksh 40,354 → Ksh 56,495 (gross)
- Newly recruited corporal: Ksh 27,879 → Ksh 38,560
- Long-serving corporal: Up to Ksh 85,465
- Newly recruited sergeant: Ksh 38,829 → Ksh 54,360
- Long-serving sergeant: Ksh 55,049 → Ksh 77,068
These increments were driven by recommendations from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), which aligned police pay with the responsibilities and risks officers face across all service units. Officers serving in specialized units such as the General Service Unit (GSU), Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), and border security operations receive an additional Special Duty Allowance on top of the standard pay structure.npsc+1
Kenya Police Allowances
Like the Civil Service in Kenya, Kenya Police officers’ gross pay is also influenced by the various allowances on their basic salaries. These allowances are as follows:
- House Allowance: Provided to cater for the different living conditions in the counties in which the officer is posted, this allowance is not constant but ranges from Ksh 4,200 for constables to Ksh 75,000 for senior officers, with those in urban centres such as Major cities including Nairobi, Kisumu, and Eldoret earning more than those in Rural settings.
- Risk Allowance: This allowance adds 25–35% to the base pay only for the police officers assigned to high-threat units like the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) and Bomb Disposal Unit.
- Commuter Allowance: It ranges between Ksh 4,000–12,000 based on rank and is paid quarterly to officers who are on the move.
- Uniform Maintenance: It is Ksh 3,500, and it is to be paid monthly for all ranks, replacing the outdated clothing grant system.
- Special Duty Allowance: Paid to officers deployed in specialized units such as the GSU, DCI field operations, border security, and peacekeeping missions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary of the Kenya Police?
The starting salary of a newly recruited Kenya Police constable is Ksh 25,645 per month at the basic pay level as of 2026. When standard allowances such as house allowance, commuter allowance, and uniform maintenance are factored in, the gross monthly pay for an entry-level constable rises to approximately Ksh 30,000.
What is the minimum salary of a police constable?
The minimum basic salary of a police constable in Kenya is Ksh 25,645 per month, reflecting the most recent adjustment implemented by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC). This is the entry-level notch one pay, and it increases annually through up to 20 salary notches as the officer gains experience.
How much is DCI paid in Kenya?
As per the Gazette Notice by SRC, the Director of DCI earns a basic salary of Ksh 372,750. In addition, there are allowances such as a House Allowance of Ksh 100,000 and a Salary Market Adjustment of Ksh 148,400, bringing the total monthly package up to approximately Ksh 621,150.
Who has the highest salary in the Kenya Police?
The starting salary of a newly recruited Kenya Police constable is Ksh 25,645 per month at the basic pay level as of 2026. When standard allowances such as house allowance, commuter allowance, and uniform maintenance are factored in, the gross monthly pay for an entry-level constable rises to approximately Ksh 30,000.
What is the minimum salary of a police constable?
The minimum basic salary of a police constable in Kenya is Ksh 25,645 per month, reflecting the most recent adjustment implemented by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC). This is the entry-level notch one pay, and it increases annually through up to 20 salary notches as the officer gains experience.
