The salary of police officers in Kenya range between Ksh 32,000 and Ksh 275,000 per year.The highest paid police officer as of 2020 is the Senior Assistant Inspector General who pockets Ksh274,890 per year. Fresh graduates and constables are the lowest paid officers with a monthly salary of Ksh 32,880.
Below is a table showing police officer ranks and their pay for the year 2020:
| Kenya Police Rank | pay Per Month | Total Per Year |
| Senior assistant inspector general | 274,890 | 3,298,680 |
| Assistant inspector general | 187,890 | 2,254,680 |
| Commissioner of police | 130,590 | 1,567,080 |
| Senior superintendent | 85,890 | 1,030,680 |
| Superintendent | 73,020 | 876,240 |
| Assistant superintendent | 70,530 | 846,360 |
| Chief inspector | 59,220 | 710,640 |
| Inspector of police | 53,820 | 645,840 |
| Senior sergeant | 50,220 | 602,640 |
| Sergeant | 45,540 | 546,480 |
| Corporal | 42,660 | 511,920 |
| Constable/ Fresh Graduate | 32,880 | 394,560 |
The police officers will also receive commuter, house, leave allowance etc.The salaries above are subjected to taxation.
These are the taxes to be deducted to the above salary;
| Monthly Bands of Taxable Income (KES) | Tax Rate |
| 0 – 24,000 | 10% |
| On the next 16,666.67 | 15% |
| On the next 16,666.67 | 20% |
| Remaining amount over 57,333.33 | 25% |
| Personal Relief: KES 2,400.00 per month | |
| Minimum Taxable Income: KES 24,001.00 per month | |
You will also pay NSSF and NHIF.
The luckiest police officers are those attached to the presidential escort, those offering security to sensitive buildings like KRA and traffic police. The best thing about working in these areas is that one is able to get extra cash which is not counted as salary. Traffic police are among the richest police officers in Kenya because they are always exposed to money.
The most encouraging thing is that the police officers’ pay has been harmonized with that of other civil servants, they even earn more than some teachers with undergraduate degrees.
To be recruited as a police officer in Kenya, the following qualifications are required:
An applicant shall be a person who:
- Is a citizen of Kenya
- Hold a Kenya National Identity Card
- Possess a minimum qualification of ‘D+’( Plus) in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination with a ‘D+’ (Plus) in either English or Kiswahili languages;
- Be aged between 18 and 28 years for holders of KCSE Examination Certificate or its equivalent, and up to 30 years for a diploma and degree holders;
- Meets the requirements of chapter six of the constitution.
- Is physical, mentally and medically fit
- Has no criminal record or pending criminal charges.
- Female candidates must not be pregnant at recruitment and during the entire training period.
- Be of good character.
