Raymond Omollo, the Internal Security Ministry Principal Secretary, has announced that the final phase of salary increases for officers in the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, and the National Youth Service will take effect in July 2026. The adjustment is part of a comprehensive reform programme aimed at modernizing Kenya’s security sector.
Major Pay Adjustments
According to a press release dated March 4, 2026, the cumulative pay increases over three consecutive years will represent the highest salary adjustments for security officers since Kenya’s independence. Key changes include:
- Police Constables: Officers at the top of the scale will earn up to Sh57,700, up from Sh38,975—a 48% increase. Newly graduating constables will start at Sh29,296, up from Sh20,390 (a 44% rise).
- NYS Officers: The minimum pay will rise to Sh26,222 and the maximum to Sh37,912, up from Sh19,800 and Sh32,315 respectively.
- Senior Officers: The highest-ranking police officer will now earn up to Sh345,850 monthly, up from Sh289,090 (a 20% increase). For senior Prisons Service officers, the maximum pay will rise to Sh584,903 from Sh576,120.
These increases aim to enhance the welfare of officers across the three services and support retention and professional development.
Part of Broader Security Sector Reforms
Omollo emphasized that the salary adjustments are part of a four-pillar transformation framework targeting:
- Institutional capacity
- Operational preparedness and logistics
- Oversight and accountability
- Human resource management and development
The three services have already implemented more than 50% of planned reforms, with the National Police Service leading at 57.2% completion.
Reform Taskforce and Implementation
The reforms trace back to December 2022, when President William Ruto established a police reform taskforce chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga. The taskforce proposed a four-year roadmap focusing on leadership, accountability, institutional capacity, human resource management, and operational readiness.
These measures are intended to modernize Kenya’s security services, improve service delivery, and ensure a professional, well-compensated, and accountable workforce in the National Police, Prisons, and Youth Services.
