Civil servants in the national government have begun 2026 on a positive note after the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) approved a salary increase backdated to July 1, 2025. The adjustment is part of Phase I of the 2025–2029 remuneration and benefits review cycle.
The pay rise was confirmed through a circular issued by Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, following an SRC meeting held on December 19, 2025. The commission endorsed revisions to basic salaries and leave allowances across all grades in the public service.
According to the circular addressed to Public Service Principal Secretary Jane Imbunya, the new salary structure is to be implemented with effect from July 1, 2025, at a cost of Ksh 2,065,701,510 for the 2025/2026 financial year. The framework applies to civil servants under grades CSG1 to CSG17 and other designated job groups.
A key highlight of the new structure is the introduction of a Salary Market Adjustment (SMA), which consolidates several previously separate benefits-including entertainment, domestic servant and extraneous allowances, into a single streamlined adjustment. The SRC explained that the change is intended to simplify administration while aligning public sector pay with prevailing market conditions.
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House allowances have also been reorganised into three geographical clusters. Cluster One covers Nairobi, Cluster Two includes major cities such as Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru alongside municipalities like Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii, Malindi and Kitale, while Cluster Three applies to all other towns and rural areas. Civil servants in Nairobi will receive the highest house allowance rates, reflecting the city’s elevated cost of living, while those in smaller towns and rural areas will receive lower rates.
For example, officers in higher grades such as CSG4 will earn basic salaries ranging between Ksh 185,690 and Ksh 396,130, with house allowances of up to Ksh 140,600 for Nairobi-based staff. Lower-grade officers, including those in CSG15, will see their salaries rise to between Ksh 21,120 and Ksh 26,250, with house allowances capped at Ksh 4,500.
The new framework also revises leave allowances, offering compensation for accumulated leave and providing additional financial support during periods of rest. For unionisable employees, implementation of the adjustments will be finalised through Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations, allowing workers’ representatives to participate in the process.
The SRC has directed all ministries, departments and agencies to implement the revised salaries and allowances without delay and ensure that arrears backdated to July 1, 2025, are paid promptly. The commission said the SMA is designed to enhance competitiveness in public service remuneration while ensuring compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
By Our Reporter
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