The Kenya National Police Service (NPS) implemented a revised salary structure for 2026, improving the pay of officers across all ranks. The pay aligns with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), which aims to boost morale and align police pay with respective responsibilities.
The police salaries are categorized according to rank, job group, and level of responsibility of the respective officers.
Entry-level officers earn lower basic pay, which rises steadily with promotion, experience, and academic qualifications.
The officers also receive various allowances that enhance their overall monthly income, depending on their posting and operational duties.
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Police Ranks and Career Progression
The Kenya Police Service has a clear hierarchy that determines command responsibility, promotion, and pay. From highest to lowest, which include;
Commissioned Officers
| Rank | Role |
| Assistant Inspector General (AIG) | Highest rank in the NPS, serving as Deputy Inspector General. |
| Senior Assistant Inspector General (SAIG) | Senior leadership positions overseeing various directorates. |
| Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) | Mid-level management roles with significant responsibilities. |
| Chief Inspector | Overseas specialised units and operations. |
| Inspector | Entry-level commissioned officers leading specific units. |
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs)
| Rank | Role |
| Senior Sergeant | Experienced officers leading teams and ensuring discipline. |
| Sergeant | Supervises constables and ensures operational efficiency. |
| Corporal | Assists in leadership roles and manages smaller units. |
| Police Constable | Entry-level ranks are responsible for general policing duties. |
Job Groups and Entry Requirements
Officers are classified into job groups based on their education level, experience, and rank.
Entry-level constables, also called fresh graduates who are recruited with O-level certificates, are placed in Job Group F.
Those with Diplomas are placed in Job Groups G and H.
Degree holders joining the service as cadet officers enter at Job Group J.
Higher job groups, ranging from K to R and S, are attained through promotions and increased leadership responsibilities.
Revised Kenya Police Salary Scale
The Pay Groups (PG) are assigned to every job group to help determine salary and career progression.
| Job Group | Grade | Revised Basic Salary (KES) |
|---|---|---|
| F | PG1 | 24,066 |
| G | PG2 | 30,303 |
| H | PG3 | 43,050 |
| I | PG4 | 47,586 |
| J | PG5 | 50,820 |
| K | PG6 | 56,112 |
| L | PG7 | 63,756 |
| M | PG8 | 68,124 |
| N | PG9 | 82,908 |
| P | PG10 | 137,256 |
| S | PG11 | 201,306 |
| R | PG12 | 252,126 |
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Officers are also entitled to various allowances, including;
- House allowance to help with accommodation, which varies by location and availability of police housing
- Commuter Allowances to facilitate transport
- Risk allowance for high-risk operations
- Hardship allowance for deployments in remote or challenging areas
- Medical allowance to cover healthcare costs
- Leave allowance during the approved leave periods
Specialized units such as the GSU, DQ, border security, and peacekeeping missions also attract an additional Special duty allowance.
The estimated Police pay
Senior police ranks, like the inspector general of police, receive higher pay than the entry-level officers.
The table below estimates the monthly gross salary of the officers.
| Rank | Estimated Monthly Salary (KES) |
|---|---|
| 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 of Police | 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 |
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