In January 2025, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) implemented a salary increase for Kenya Prison Officers, following President William Ruto’s directive in 2024. This move aligns with recommendations from the task force on police reforms, chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga, aimed at enhancing the welfare and motivation of uniformed officers.
The new salary structure harmonizes prison officers’ pay with the National Police Service (NPS), ensuring fair and consistent compensation across security agencies. The salary adjustments range between 6% and 19%, with all ranks benefiting from the increase.
New Salary Scale for Kenya Prisons Officers (2025)
The revised salaries are categorized based on position, pay grade, and job group as follows:
| Rank | Pay Grade | Job Group | New Salary (KES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commissioner General (CG) | 14 | U | 180,337 |
| Deputy Commissioner General (DCG) | 13 | T | 166,780 |
| Senior Assistant Commissioner General | 12 | S | 132,000 |
| Assistant Commissioner General | 11 | R | 119,730 |
| Deputy Commissioner | 10 | Q | 98,500 |
| Assistant Deputy Commissioner | 9 | P | 85,110 |
| Senior Superintendent of Prisons | 8 | N | 55,110 |
| Superintendent | 7 | M | 47,780 |
| Chief Inspector | 6 | L | 41,770 |
| Inspector | 5 | K | 37,070 |
| Senior Sergeant | 4 | J | 30,170 |
| Sergeant | 3 | H | 24,580 |
| Corporal | 2 | G | 21,500 |
| Constable (Lowest Rank) | 1 | F | 16,890 |
| Kenya Prisons Cadets | 5 | K | 40,000 |
Allowances for Kenya Prisons Officers
In addition to their basic salaries, prison officers receive allowances based on their rank, job group, and work location.
Housing Allowance (Based on Work Location)
Prison officers are entitled to housing allowances, categorized into four clusters:
- Cluster 1: Officers stationed in Nairobi receive the highest housing allowance.
- Cluster 2: Officers in county headquarters such as Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Malindi, Kilifi, Naivasha, Lamu, and Kwale receive the second-highest allowance.
- Cluster 3: Officers in counties like Nyeri, Machakos, Eldoret, Kisii, Kakamega, Kericho, Lodwar, Embu, Nanyuki, and Garissa fall into this category.
- Cluster 4: Officers in all other regions receive the lowest housing allowance.
Additional Allowances
- Risk Allowance – Compensation for the dangers associated with law enforcement duties.
- Hardship Allowance – Given to officers working in remote or harsh environments.
- Transfer Allowance – Covers relocation costs for officers posted to new stations.
- Acting Allowance – Paid when an officer assumes responsibilities of a higher-ranking position temporarily.
Impact of the Salary Increment
The salary adjustment is expected to:
✅ Improve officers’ morale and welfare.
✅ Enhance service delivery in the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS).
✅ Align police and prisons officers’ salaries, ensuring fairness.
Prison officers, alongside officers in the National Police Service (NPS) and the National Youth Service (NYS), will benefit from this structured salary increase, marking a significant step toward better compensation in Kenya’s security sector. 🚔💰
