This archive report was first published on 5 December 2019.
Kenya Defense Forces Ranks and Salaries ¶
As of 2019, the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) has a well-defined rank structure, with each rank corresponding to a specific salary range.
Published on December 5, 2019, this article provides an in-depth look at the various ranks within the KDF, from the lowest to the highest, and their corresponding salaries.
Enlisted Ranks ¶
- Private: The lowest rank in the KDF, with a starting salary of Ksh 7,172.
- Lance Corporal: A private can become a Lance Corporal after three years of service or by passing Phase 2 training, with a salary range of Ksh 26,509 to Ksh 50,000.
- Corporal: Achieved after six to eight years of military service, with a salary range of Ksh 32,250 to Ksh 70,000.
- Sergeant: Promoted after twelve years of good military service, with a salary range of Ksh 45,000 to Ksh 80,000.
- Staff/Color Sergeant: The highest position of soldiers and equipment manager, with a salary range of Ksh 60,000 to Ksh 100,000.
- Warrant Officer Class 2: In charge of up to 120 soldiers, with a salary range of Ksh 80,000 to Ksh 120,000.
- Warrant Officer Class 1: The main soldier position in the KDF, with a salary range of Ksh 120,000 to Ksh 200,000.
Commissioned Officers ¶
- Officer Cadet: Gained after initial officer training, with a salary range of Ksh 30,000 to Ksh 50,000.
- Second Lieutenant: The starting rank for commissioned officers, with a salary range of Ksh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000.
- Lieutenant: Held after three years of good service as a Second Lieutenant, with a salary range of Ksh 50,000 to Ksh 80,000.
- Captain: Responsible for up to 120 soldiers, with a salary range of Ksh 73,182 to Ksh 110,000.
- Major: Gained between 8-10 years of military service, with a salary range of Ksh 102,106 to Ksh 150,000.
- Lieutenant Colonel: In charge of up to 650 soldiers, with a salary range of Ksh 130,735 to Ksh 180,000.
- Colonel: The lowest staff rank, with a salary range of Ksh 153,317 to Ksh 300,000.
- Brigadier: A Field Officer Rank, with a salary range of Ksh 200,000 to Ksh 400,000.
- Major General: In charge of divisions and senior staff appointments, with a salary range of Ksh 400,000 to Ksh 600,000.
- Lieutenant General: In charge of Corps sized formations, with a salary range of Ksh 500,000 to Ksh 800,000.
- General: The top rank in the KDF, with a salary range of Ksh 600,000 to Ksh 1,000,000.
