Kenyan Police Salary Increase: Could This Be Another Govt’s Enticement?

Mr Kavuludi said from the next salary pay, the lowest paid constable would get a 19 per cent salary increase while senior assistant inspectors-general would be awarded a six per cent rise.

“This interim increment takes effect in July. Detailed salary adjustments for every rank will be issued by the Inspector-General,” he said, adding that consultations were ongoing and that the new package would be made public soon.

“This is a temporary incentive to our officers to motivate them manage the elections and provide security to Kenyans,”

Earlier this month, it was rumoured that the Kenyan Police would receive pay rise after an aounced meeting by the Police commission and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

The need for the salary increase was sparked off by government’s needs for the security officers to ensure that peace and order prevail during the August 8 General Election

Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boiet has the power to boost the nearly 100,000 officers under him by gazetting special officers to help in policing, especially at polling stations.

But at the time of the meeting, Mr Boiet said review meetings on how police manage the elections will continue until after August 8.The new report might, however, be a source of encouragement for the security officers to do their jobs well especially as the country draws much closer to the dreaded election period.

Meanwhile, Mr Kavuludi, however, urged well-wishers to help secure police stations with perimeter walls, saying the government’s budget was constrained.

The NPSC chief said the Kenyan police and some ministries had prepared well for the General Election, adding that he did not anticipate any further political upheavals.

“We are happy with police preparations for the polls. The officers have been trained well and equipped to handle any situation professionally. They will not interfere with the elections,” he said at Pride I, Hotel, Mombasa after a three-day retreat of the commissioners.