News and Analysis
March 4, 2026
The Ministry of Interior on March 4, 2026, announced a salary raise for officers in the National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Prisons Service (KPS), and the National Youth Service (NYS), effective July 2026.
The announcement, issued by the Ministry of Interior following a directive from President William Ruto, comes as part of efforts to improve the welfare of the police.
According to the notice, the top-earning police officers were the biggest beneficiaries, with their basic pay increasing from Ksh289,090 to Ksh345,850, an increase of Ksh56,760.
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Here are the new salaries for the different police units.
A constable (entry-level officers) will now earn a minimum salary of Ksh29,296, up from Ksh20,390. An increase of Ksh8,906 in the minimum pay.
The maximum salary for a constable has also risen to Ksh57,700, compared to the previous Ksh38,975. An increase of Ksh18,725 in the maximum pay.
For senior officers, the basic salary has increased to Ksh345,850, up from Ksh289,090.
The starting salary for the lowest cadre is now aligned with the police at Ksh29,296 (previously Ksh20,390), while the maximum salary for the same cadre rises to Ksh57,700 (previously Ksh38,975).
Senior prison officers will see their salaries increase significantly. The minimum pay for the highest-ranking officers is now Ksh301,548, up from Ksh292,765. This is an increase of Ksh8,783.
The maximum salary of senior officers will now reach Ksh584,903, slightly higher than the previous Ksh576,120. This translates to an adjustment of Ksh8,783.
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Entry-level officers in the NYS will now earn a minimum of Ksh26,222, up from Ksh19,800. This is an increment of Ksh6,422.
The maximum salary for the lowest cadre officers is now Ksh37,912, an increase from Ksh32,315. This marks an increase of Ksh5,597.
“Within the aim of improving welfare, terms and conditions of service, and staff development, the last phase of salary raises for all Police and Prisons officers as well as those in the National Youth Service will be effected this July,” read the statement in part.
“Officers from all three services started earning the raised pay when the Government announced that all officers in the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service and National Youth Service would get a salary raise to be paid in phases effective July 1, 2024.”
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