NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has announced that the entry-level basic salary for police constables has risen by about 36 per cent, from Sh21,645 to Sh29,360.
Ruto made the announcement on Friday, August 28, 2026, during the passing-out parade for more than 6,000 police recruits at the National Police College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County.
The President said the increase follows the completion of a three-phase review of remuneration for officers in the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service and National Youth Service.
“Entry-level basic pay for a police constable has risen from Sh21,645 at the beginning of the review, to Sh29,360, an increase of about 36pc,” Ruto said.
He said salaries for other police ranks had also been adjusted upwards as part of efforts to improve the welfare of security officers.
Ruto said the government would continue working with the National Police Service Commission and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to ensure police pay remains fair, sustainable and commensurate with the responsibilities and risks officers face.
“We cannot demand professionalism, integrity and sacrifice from police officers while remaining indifferent to their remuneration, housing, healthcare, equipment, career progression, and psychological well-being,” he said.
The President linked better remuneration to the broader reform of the National Police Service, arguing that officers must be provided with appropriate conditions if they are expected to maintain high standards of professionalism.
Police housing and healthcare
Ruto said the government was also addressing the longstanding shortage of accommodation for police officers.
Under the National Institutional Housing Programme, he said the security sector has a pipeline of 47,464 housing units spread across 165 projects.
More than 2,000 units have been completed, while over 9,500 are at various stages of construction and another 24,000 are under procurement, according to the President.
Major housing developments are underway at Kiganjo, the General Service Unit headquarters in Ruaraka and the GSU Training School in Embakasi, among other locations.
The government has also introduced the Usalama Cover under the Social Health Authority for police and prison officers and their dependants.
Ruto said more than 138,000 officers and family members had been enrolled in the programme.
The cover provides access to primary, inpatient and outpatient healthcare as well as specialised treatment, with the government saying it is intended to reduce the financial burden on officers and their families.
Higher pay, higher expectations
While announcing the improvements, Ruto made it clear that better welfare would be accompanied by greater expectations of professional conduct.
He warned the new officers against corruption, bribery, collusion with criminals, excessive use of force and abuse of authority.
“Corruption, bribery, collusion with criminals, excessive force and abuse of authority betray the Constitution, dishonour police uniform, and weaken the institution you have joined,” he said.
The President also instructed the recruits to remain disciplined, impartial and incorruptible as they begin their careers.
The new officers are joining the National Police Service at a politically sensitive period, with Kenya scheduled to hold its next General Election on August 10, 2027.
Ruto told them that the police must protect the democratic space while remaining neutral in political contests.
He said better pay, equipment and housing should ultimately contribute to a police service that is more professional, capable and accountable.
The salary increase therefore forms part of a wider government effort to reform police welfare while placing greater responsibility on officers to uphold the law and protect citizens’ rights.
