The government has moved swiftly to quash reports suggesting that it is planning to reduce the salaries of civil servants, assuring public officers that there are no plans to slash pay.
The clarification comes in response to media claims that recent adjustments to civil service remuneration were aimed at introducing reductions, a narrative the government says is inaccurate and misleading.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, speaking during an interview on Radio Citizen on Wednesday, emphasised that the government’s priority is not to cut salaries but to implement measures that enhance civil servants’ take-home pay.
“We just revised the salaries upwards the other day. I want to tell you that the government has no plans at all to adjust the salaries downwards,” Ruku said, directly addressing concerns circulating among public officers.
He further stressed that any decision to reduce salaries would require parliamentary approval. “For a fact, it is only Parliament with the ability to make such cuts to salaries through the legislative process, and I can say that there is no such consideration before the House.
I want to assure that there is absolutely no need to panic,” Ruku clarified, reassuring officers that their earnings remain secure.
The government’s statement comes even as civil servants across Kenya’s national government began 2026 with a pay rise backdated to July 1, 2025, following the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s (SRC) approval of new salaries and allowances under Phase I of the 2025–2029 remuneration review cycle.
The adjustments cover public officers across various grades and are aimed at ensuring that civil service pay remains competitive and aligned with market realities.
The revised salary structure, which took effect on January 1, 2026, applies to grades ranging from CSG1 to CSG17, as well as other designated job groups. In addition to base salary adjustments, allowances have been restructured to simplify administration and provide transparency.
One of the key changes is the introduction of the Salary Market Adjustment (SMA), which consolidates previously fragmented allowances such as entertainment, domestic servant, and extraneous allowances into a single streamlined adjustment. The SMA is designed to make allowance administration more efficient while maintaining fair compensation.
House allowances have also been restructured into three clusters, reflecting regional cost-of-living differences. Cluster 1 covers Nairobi, where the cost of living is highest; Cluster 2 includes major cities such as Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru, along with other key municipalities; and Cluster 3 applies to all other areas across the country.
Civil servants stationed in Nairobi are set to benefit the most from the house allowance increase, reflecting the higher living costs in the capital, while officers in smaller towns and rural areas will receive comparatively lower rates.
For example, officers in higher grades such as CSG4 will earn a basic salary ranging between Ksh185,690 and Ksh396,130, with house allowances of up to Ksh140,600 for those in Nairobi. Lower-grade officers, including CSG15 staff, will receive salaries between Ksh21,120 and Ksh26,250, with house allowances of up to Ksh4,500.
These adjustments, the SRC noted, are intended to ensure that public servants’ pay remains fair, transparent, and reflective of the demands of their positions.
The SRC highlighted that the SMA is not a one-off adjustment but part of a broader strategy to align civil service salaries with current market realities, while remaining compliant with constitutional and statutory provisions.
By consolidating various allowances into a single framework, the government aims to reduce administrative inefficiencies and simplify salary management, making it easier for civil servants to understand their compensation packages.
Geoffrey Ruku reiterated that the government’s focus is on implementing policies that improve the livelihoods of public officers rather than reducing their pay.
“We are keen to ensure that civil servants are adequately rewarded for their service to the nation. The recent salary revisions are part of this commitment, and there is no agenda to reduce salaries,” he stated.
The pay rise marks the first phase of the fourth remuneration and benefits review cycle for 2025–2029, with subsequent phases expected to further adjust salaries and allowances based on performance, market benchmarks, and economic conditions.
Civil servants are therefore advised to disregard unfounded reports of pay cuts and focus on service delivery, confident that their remuneration is secure.
In conclusion, while concerns over potential salary reductions briefly surfaced in the media, government assurances and SRC guidelines indicate that civil servants’ earnings are protected and that the new framework is designed to enhance take-home pay.
With salaries and allowances now clarified and structured, public officers can expect a more streamlined, transparent, and fair compensation system that reflects both their contributions and prevailing market conditions.
