New Pay Rise for Police, Prisons and NYS Officers

Reforms across the Kenya Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service and National Youth Service are being implemented under a structured four-pillar transformation framework designed to strengthen service delivery, professionalism and accountability.

The reform agenda focuses on Institutional Capacity Development, Operational Preparedness and Logistical Capacity,  Oversight and Accountability and lastly; Human Resource Management and Development.

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.

This announcement follows a meeting of the National Steering Committee on the implementation of reforms in the NPS, KPS and NYS, chaired by the Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Dr. Raymond Omollo.

The committee reviewed the progress made and noted that this will be the highest cumulative pay increases for officers over three consecutive years since independence.

Police officers in lower ranks are the main beneficiaries of the new salary payments directed by H.E. the President.

In the proposed pay raise, a National Police Service officer serving in the lowest cadre, a constable, will now earn a maximum of Ksh 57,700 up from Ksh 38,975, 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 get a starting salary of Ksh 29,296 up from Ksh 20, 390 earned by their colleagues before July, 2024.

This represents a salary raise of 44 per cent.

The NYS officers in the lowest cadre will get a minimum of Ksh26,222 and a maximum of Ksh 37,912.

Prior to the implementation of the new salary policy, the officers earned a minimum of Ksh 19,800 and a maximum of 32, 315.

Kenya Police officers at the entrance of Central Police Station in Nairobi on June 9, 2025. (Photo by Luis TATO / AFP)

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 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.

This is a similar case to their contemporary in NYS.

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.

Overall, the three institutions have now implemented more than 50% of the planned reform actions, demonstrating sustained momentum across the security sector.

The National Police Service leads with 57.2% overall implementation, while the Kenya Prisons Service and the National Youth Service are progressing at comparable levels.

Youths with tattoos were rejected during NYS recruiting in Thika

On Tuesday, individuals with tattoos were denied entry to the National Youth Service (NYS) recruitment exercise, despite meeting other qualification criteria. The disqualification was based on tattoos located on their backs and shoulders. The disappointed youths, many of whom acquired tattoos in high school, expressed regret, with one mentioning that he didn’t anticipate the impact it would have on his future.

One of the affected youths, attending the NYS recruitment in Thika, shared his experience: “I live in Thika, and I’m here for the NYS recruitment, but it did not go as expected because I have a tattoo which has disqualified me. I had the tattoo while I was in high school, at that time it was not a big deal, but now I see why my parents were against it.”

The NYS recruitment, aiming to enlist at least 15,000 recruits, commenced nationwide on Monday, February 5, 2024. Public Service CS Moses Kuria acknowledged a few reported anomalies on the first day but assured Kenyans that he would address them appropriately.

“On the first day of the National Youth Service recruitment exercise that I am monitoring very closely, I’m delighted to report that the exercise kicked off on the right footing in different parts of the country. Few anomalies were reported, and I can assure all Kenyans that I will address them amicably,” Kuria stated. He had previously emphasized his commitment to ensuring fairness in the recruitment process, especially for the children of the less privileged in the country.

Thousands Of Former NYS Officers Scramble For Limited Slots In KDF Recruitment

Thousands of former National Youth Service (NYS) officers thronged the Embakasi Garrison on Monday, September 19, 2023, in a bid to join the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). The massive turnout was witnessed after the KDF announced the recruitment on September 16 and released the shortlist of prospective Specialist Officer Cadets and Tradesmen and women.

Videos shared online showed a sea of ex-NYS officers jostling for space at the Embakasi Garrison, eager to secure one of the limited slots available. The KDF has shortlisted 1,606 candidates for recruitment, including 347 specialist officers and 1,259 tradesmen and women.

The high turnout at the Embakasi Garrison is a testament to the high unemployment rate in Kenya and the appeal of serving in the KDF. The KDF is one of the most respected institutions in Kenya and offers a stable career with good benefits.

It is unclear how many former NYS officers made the shortlist or how many were able to secure a slot in the KDF. However, the massive turnout at the Embakasi Garrison is a clear indication of the strong interest in joining the KDF among former NYS officers.

The KDF had announced the recruitment on September 16, releasing a shortlist of 1,606 candidates, including 347 specialist officers and 1,259 tradesmen and women. The high turnout at the Embakasi Garrison is a testament to the high unemployment rate in Kenya and the appeal of serving in the KDF, which is one of the most respected institutions in the country and offers a stable career with good benefits.