The Kenyan civil service salary structure is one of the most searched public sector topics, especially among job seekers, serving officers, and policy analysts. The approved salary structure and leave allowance for civil servants in the national government outlines how employees are compensated across different job groups, grades, and clusters, ensuring equity, transparency, and predictability in public service remuneration.
This article provides a detailed breakdown of Kenya’s civil service salary structure, including basic salary ranges, monthly allowances, gross pay in Nairobi, and annual leave allowance across all grades from senior management to entry-level staff.
Overview of the Kenya Civil Service Salary Framework
Civil servants in Kenya are paid according to a standardized structure categorized by:
Job Evaluation (JE) Grade
Job Group
Civil Service Grade (CSG)
Basic Salary (Minimum and Maximum)
Monthly Allowances
Gross Salary (Nairobi rates)
Annual Leave Allowance
The structure ensures that pay progression is aligned with responsibility, experience, and location, particularly for officers stationed in major urban centers like Nairobi.
Basic Salary Structure by Civil Service Grade
Basic salary forms the foundation of a civil servant’s earnings. It varies significantly across grades, reflecting the level of responsibility and seniority.
Senior Civil Service Grades
At the top of the structure is CSG 4 (Job Group T – JE Grade E3), which attracts:
Minimum Basic Salary: KSh 185,690
Maximum Basic Salary: KSh 396,130
This grade includes senior professionals and high-level managers within national government ministries and departments.
Other senior grades include:
CSG 5 (Job Group S): KSh 155,930 – KSh 292,490
CSG 6 (Job Group R): KSh 113,430 – KSh 185,690
Middle-Level Civil Service Grades
Mid-level officers fall between CSG 7 and CSG 10, covering technical officers, administrators, and supervisors.
Examples include:
CSG 7 (Job Group P): KSh 94,120 – KSh 142,590
CSG 8 (Job Group N): KSh 59,010 – KSh 103,440
CSG 9 (Job Group L): KSh 47,900 – KSh 67,750
CSG 10 (Job Group K): KSh 43,200 – KSh 59,010
These grades form the backbone of service delivery across government institutions.
Entry-Level and Support Staff Grades
Lower grades cater to clerical, support, and operational roles:
CSG 11 (Job Group J): KSh 36,200 – KSh 47,900
CSG 12 (Job Group H): KSh 30,400 – KSh 38,880
CSG 13 (Job Group G): KSh 27,200 – KSh 34,950
CSG 14 (Job Group F): KSh 22,340 – KSh 28,240
CSG 15 (Job Group E): KSh 21,120 – KSh 26,250
CSG 16 (Job Group D): KSh 20,030 – KSh 24,500
CSG 17 (Job Group C): KSh 18,700 – KSh 21,700
Monthly Allowances Explained
In addition to basic salary, civil servants receive monthly allowances that significantly boost their take-home pay.
1. House Allowance (Cluster-Based)
House allowance varies by location cluster, with Nairobi receiving the highest rates:
Cluster 1 (Major cities): Up to KSh 80,000
Cluster 2 (Large towns): Up to KSh 70,000
Cluster 3 (Other towns): Up to KSh 60,000
Lower grades receive proportionately smaller house allowances, starting from KSh 3,750 at CSG 17.
2. Commuter Allowance
Commuter allowance supports daily transport costs and ranges from:
KSh 24,000 for senior grades
KSh 20,000 – 16,000 for mid-level grades
KSh 3,000 – 8,000 for lower grades
This allowance is paid monthly across all eligible grades.
3. Special Monthly Allowance (SMA)
Only top-tier officers, particularly those in CSG 4, qualify for a Special Monthly Allowance (SMA) of up to KSh 140,600, reflecting the complexity and sensitivity of their roles.
Gross Salary in Nairobi: What Civil Servants Take Home
Gross salary combines basic pay plus all applicable allowances. Nairobi-based officers earn the highest gross salaries due to enhanced house and commuter allowances.
Examples of Gross Salary Ranges (Nairobi)
CSG 4: KSh 430,290 – KSh 640,730
CSG 5: KSh 235,930 – KSh 372,490
CSG 6: KSh 179,430 – KSh 251,690
CSG 7: KSh 151,120 – KSh 199,590
CSG 10: KSh 64,700 – KSh 80,510
CSG 17: KSh 25,450 – KSh 28,450
These figures make civil service roles highly competitive and stable compared to many private sector jobs.
Annual Leave Allowance
Civil servants are also entitled to a leave allowance paid annually, depending on grade:
CSG 4 & CSG 5: KSh 35,000
CSG 6 & CSG 7: KSh 20,000
CSG 8 – CSG 10: KSh 10,000
CSG 11 – CSG 17: KSh 6,500
This allowance supports rest, wellness, and work-life balance.
Why the Civil Service Salary Structure Matters
The Kenyan civil service salary structure promotes:
Transparency in public pay
Fair compensation across grades
Predictable career progression
Financial stability for public servants
For job seekers, understanding this structure helps in career planning, salary expectations, and job group targeting.
Kenya’s national government civil service salary framework remains one of the most structured and reliable compensation systems in the country. With clearly defined basic salaries, allowances, gross pay, and leave benefits, civil servants enjoy predictable earnings and long-term job security.
As government reforms continue, this salary structure provides a strong foundation for professional growth, accountability, and effective public service delivery.
