The Kenya Defence forces was established in 2010 in article 41 of the 2010 constitution in Kenya under the Ministry of Defence.
It constitutes the Kenya Army, Kenya Navy and the Kenya Airforce. This article will help you understand the KDF salary rates as well as ranks of the servicemen from the lowest to the highest.
KDF is in charge of the defence and protection of Kenya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Recruitment to the forces is done annually, and eligible candidates are between 26 and 34 years. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission of Kenya (SRC) reviews the Kenya Army salary ranges.
Kenya Army
It was established in 1964 and is the land arm of the Kenya Defence Forces. Its headquarters is in Nairobi, Kenya.
Kenya army ranks and salaries are based on the candidates’ level of education and years of experience, among other factors. The KDF salaries are evaluated every four years, and SRC did the last review in 2017. KDF officers enjoy handsome allowances while on peace missions. Those living in the barracks enjoy several benefits for army employees, like buying commodities at half the market price.
Kenya Defence Forces operate in ranks and are highly disciplined. They are in two main groups, Commissioned Officers and Non-commissioned Officers. The KDF Commissioned Officers are above the Non-commissioned Officers.
Commissioned Officers make crucial decisions and plans, while Non-commissioned Officers lead and train troops. These two main Kenya Defense Force ranks are split further into several subgroups. Promotion is strictly based on merit and not one’s service affliction.
1. Non-Commissioned Officers (lowest to highest)
They are otherwise referred to as NCOs. These are military officers who have not followed a commission and earn their positions of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks.
Private Officer
These are KDF soldiers who have completed their first Phase of military training. They are at the lowest rank of non-commissioned officers.
Lance Corporal
A KDF Private Officer is promoted to Lance Corporal after three years of service or completion of Phase 2 training. The Lance Corporal leads a group of approximately four soldiers known as a Section.
Corporal
A corporal manages a bigger number of soldiers than the lance corporal and also oversees military equipment. It is the third-lowest rank of non-commissioned officers and is achieved after six-eight years of military service.It also depends on one’s leadership.
Sergeant
A KDF soldier earns this post after twelve years of excellent military service. A Sergeant can lead up to 35 soldiers also known as a Platoon and advises the junior officers.
Senior Sergeant
There are two types of Senior Sergeant positions; a Staff or Colour Sergeant. One gets to either position after working for two years as a Sergeant. A Senior Sergeant commands an Army company (around 120 soldiers).
Warrant Officer II
A Warrant Officer Class 2 trains, promotes, and disciplines a group of around 120 soldiers. One is also a senior adviser to a Major. A Major commands a sub-unit.
Warrant Officer I
A KDF soldier attains this position after 18 years of brilliant military service. A Warrant Officer Class 1 commands up to 650 officers and soldiers.
2. KDF Commissioned officers (lowest to highest)
They are administrative KDF soldiers who start as cadets and move up the ranks. They undergo training at Kenya Military Academy (KMA) in Lanet, Nakuru County.
They include:
Officer Cadet
This is a rank the officers hold immediately after training in Lanet. They are junior officers among the commissioned officers.
Second Lieutenant
Officers hold this position after two years of graduation from KMA. Officer leads up to 30 soldiers in a troop in this rank. Usually ,it is held up to 3 years ,during which you’ll have to pass special training. both in operations and training.
Lieutenant
This position is attained after serving for three to five years. They will lead up to 30 soldiers in a troop or platoon.
Captain
Officers must have served for up to six years to attain this position. They are responsible for up to 120 soldiers in a sub-unit. They take part in decision-making and planning.
Major
Officers gain promotion to this rank after 8 – 10 years of outstanding service and leadership skills. They get to command a sub-unit of about 120 soldiers and officers and be fully responsible for their training and discipline.
Lieutenant Colonel
Is in charge of up to 650 soldiers, that include 4 or 5 sub-units .Usually ,this position is held for two years.
Colonel
The lowest staff rank and is not a field commander.
Brigadier
As a brigadier, you’ll be in charge of a brigade and it is a field officer rank.
Major General
A Major General is responsible for divisions and senior staff appointments.
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is one of the highest military ranks in Kenya. Officers will be in charge of forming sizes for the Corps.
General
The General is the highest-ranking soldier and the chief of defence forces. The General holds the positions of the Vice Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Defence Staff, or General Staff. Only one person can be the General at a time.
Salaries of KDF soldiers
Kenya Army Salaries
The salary of a Cadet in training is Sh7,172.
KDF cadets salary is Sh11,852 per month.
Officer cadets earn Sh24,520 per month after serving in the army for three years.
The salary of Privates is between Sh19,941 and Sh30,000.
The salary of Lance Corporals is from Sh26,509 to Sh50,000.
The salary of Corporal – Sh32,250 to Sh70,000.
The salary of Captains – Sh73,182 to Sh110,000.
The salary of Majors – Sh102,106- Sh150,000.
The salary of Lt. Colonels Sh130,735 – Sh180,000.
The salary of Colonels is Sh153,317 – Sh300,000
The salary of Lt. General is Sh632,984 – Sh800,000
The salary of Chief of Defence Forces is Sh894,897 – Sh1,200,000
Kenya Air Force
The Kenya Airforce was founded on 1st June 1964 immediately after independence, with the UK’s assistance. It is a part of The Kenya Defence Forces. It’s main air base operating fighters is Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, while its headquarters is at Moi Air Base in Eastleigh, Nairobi.
Other bases include Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mombasa (Moi International Airport), FOB Mandera, FOB Wajir and FOB Nyeri.
The Kenya Air Force is divided into two divisions; The Officers and the Airmen Officers.
Kenyan Air Force Commissioned Officers ranks (lowest to highest)
- Air Marshall
- Air Vice Marshall
- Air Commodore
- Group Captain
- Wing Commander
- Squadron Leader
- Flight Lieutenant
- Flying Officer
- Pilot Officer
Kenyan Air Force Airmen ranks ( lowest to highest)
- Warrant Officer Class I
- Warrant Officer Class II
- Flight Sergeant
- Sergeant
- Corporal
- Leading Aircraftman I
- Leading Aircraftman II
Kenya Airforce Salaries
The salary of the Chief of Defence Forces is Sh840,000 with Sh336,000 allowances all totaling to Sh1,120,000.
The salary of the Air Commodore of the Kenya Air force gets is Sh906,014
The salary of a Wing Commander in the Kenyan Air Force is Sh153,317.
The salary for a Squadron Leader in the Kenyan Air Force Sh130,735.
The salary of the Air Vice Marshal of the Kenyan Air Force is Sh695,625 with Sh278,250 allowances all totalling to Sh927,500.
The salary for a Flight Lieutenant in the Kenyan Air Force is Sh102,106.
The salary for a Flying Officer in the Kenyan Air Force is Sh73,182.
The salary for a Corporal in the Kenyan Air Force is Sh32,250.
The salary for a Leading Aircraftman II in the Kenyan Air Force is Sh26,509.
The salary for a Leading Aircraftman in the Kenyan Air Force is Sh19,941.
Kenya Navy
The Kenya Navy was established in 1964,60 years ago. Its headquarter is in Mombasa, Kenya.
The Kenya Navy also has Mtongwe base in Mombasa, Shimoni, Msambweni, Malindi, Kilifi. Another naval base located in Manda (part of Lamu Archipelago) was established in 1995.
Kenya Navy ranks are divided into two groups: the Officers And naval ratings.
- Kenya Navy Officer ranks
- Midshipman
- Sub-Lieutenant
- Lieutenant
- Lieutenant Commander
- Commander
- Captain
- Commodore
- Rear-Admiral
- Vice Admiral
- Admiral
Kenya Navy salaries
Commander of the Kenya Navy gets Sh902,432.
The salary of the Admiral of the Kenya Navy is Sh695,625 with Sh278,250 allowances all totaling to Sh927,500.
The salary of the Commodore of the Kenya Navy is Sh906,014.
The salary of a Captain in the Kenya Navy is Sh153,317.
The salary for a Commander in the Kenya Navy Sh130,735.
The salary for a Lieutenant in the Kenya Navy is Sh102,106.
The salary for a Midshipman in the Kenya Navy is Sh73,182.
The salary for an Able Seaman in the Kenya Navy is Sh32,250.
The salary for a Leading Seaman in the Kenya Navy is Sh26,509.
The salary for a Junior Seaman in the Kenya Navy is Sh19,941.
— Compiled by Barbara Owano Lubukha
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