By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, January 2 2026 -Civil servants across Kenya are set to enjoy higher pay and improved leave allowances after the government approved a new remuneration structure that takes effect from July 1, 2025, at a cost of Sh2.065 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year.
The adjustments, confirmed by Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, follow the release of an official circular by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), marking the first phase of the Fourth Remuneration Review Cycle running from 2025/2026 to 2028/2029.
Announcing the development, Atwoli welcomed the move as a significant morale boost for public servants, saying:"PS Jane Imbunya has released a circular showing that civil servants' leave allowance and basic pay have almost been doubled as a New Year gift from the government of Kenya. Congratulations civil servants union."
The circular, dated December 19, 2025, was addressed to Dr Jane Kere Imbunya, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Public Service and Human Capital Development. It outlines the approved review of remuneration and benefits for civil servants, with changes applied retrospectively from July 1, 2025.
Under the revised structure, all job groups from A3 (CSG 17) to E3 (CSG 4) are covered. Senior officers in Job Group E3 will now earn basic salaries ranging between Sh185,690 and Sh396,130, alongside a salary market adjustment (SMA) of Sh140,600. This brings their maximum gross pay in Nairobi to Sh640,730, with an annual leave allowance of Sh35,000.
Mid-level officers in Job Group L will earn between Sh47,900 and Sh67,750, translating to gross salaries of between Sh81,900 and Sh101,750 in Nairobi, plus a Sh10,000 leave allowance. Entry-level staff in Job Group A3 will earn basic salaries of between Sh18,700 and Sh21,700, with a maximum gross pay of Sh28,450 and a Sh6,500 leave allowance.
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The new structure also introduces a tiered house allowance based on duty stations, with Nairobi attracting the highest rates. Additionally, the salary market adjustment now consolidates several allowances that were previously paid separately, including entertainment, extraneous and domestic servant allowances.
However, the SRC clarified that pay structures for unionisable staff will continue to be negotiated through collective bargaining agreements.
Reaffirming the implementation timeline, the circular states:"The remuneration structure advised herein shall be implemented with effect from July 1, 2025, for phase I of the fourth remuneration and benefits review cycle."
