Govt announces salary increase for police, prison and NYS officers
By Francis Muli, March 4, 2026The government has announced a salary increase for police, Kenya Prisons and National Youth Service (NYS) officers.
In a statement on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the government announced that the last phase of salary raises for all police and prison officers, as well as those in NYS, will be effected this July.
Police officers in lower ranks are the main beneficiaries of the new salary payments directed by President William Ruto.
In the proposed pay raise, a National Police Service officer serving in the lowest cadre, a constable, will now earn a maximum of Ksh57,700 up from Ksh38,975, representing a raise of 48 per cent. A similar cap has been implemented for their equivalent officer in the Kenya Prisons Service.
Constables graduating from various police training colleges will now receive a starting salary of Ksh29,296, up from Ksh20,390 previously, representing a 44 per cent increase.
The NYS officers in the lowest cadre will get a minimum of Ksh26,222 and a maximum of Ksh37,912 as compared to previous salaries of between Ksh19,800 and a maximum of Ksh32,315.
“Once fully effected, the highest serving police officer will earn a maximum monthly basic pay of Ksh345,850 up from Ksh289,090, representing a 20 per cent increase,” the statement added.
The highest paid officers of the KPS will now earn a minimum of Ksh301,548 and a maximum of Ksh584,903, up from a previous minimum of Ksh292,765 and a maximum of Ksh576,120.
“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,” the government stated.
“Overall, the three institutions have now implemented more than50 percent of the planned reform actions, demonstrating sustained momentum across the security sector.”
The National Police Service leads with 57.2 percent overall implementation, while the Kenya Prisons Service and the National Youth Service are progressing at comparable levels.
Murkomen’s advocacy
The implementation follows sustained advocacy by Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who has consistently pushed for improved welfare for officers during the Jukwaa la Usalama public security engagements held across the country.
In the forums that bring together security teams, leaders and the public, the CS emphasised that strengthening officers’ welfare is critical in building a motivated and professional security service capable of effectively safeguarding the country.
President William Ruto reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving officers’ welfare during the 46th Passing Out Parade of over 3,800 prison officer recruits at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru last week. The President announced that Phase III of the salary review will take effect on July 1, 2026, completing the phased implementation of reforms aimed at improving remuneration and working conditions for disciplined services.
The reforms form part of a broader programme to transform the country’s security institutions through improved remuneration, better working conditions and strengthened operational capacity, with the government expressing confidence that the changes will boost morale and enhance efficiency in policing, correctional services and youth service operations.