The 2010 Kenyan constitution brought about some changes in Kenya’s governance structure. Among these new changes was the formation of the 47 counties of Kenya, a split from the 8 former provincial systems. While county governments in Kenya play various roles, they bring various national government services closer to the common Mwananchi, like you and me. As they do so, they also have workers who help the counties achieve their goals and serve all Members of the counties better.
People working in the county government are state officials whose pay is subject to various salaries and allowances as determined by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). Civil servants in the county assemblies are paid according to the Job groups they are in, and their salaries are also a bit different from those of members of the executive committee in the counties, who are categorized as state officers. To help you understand how much the county government workers earn in Kenya, we have covered all that you need to know below.
County Government Job Groups
For those who might be new to the world of Public service, Job Groups are essential, as they often determine one’s earnings. A job group is basically a salary or pay band that determines one’s salary when working for national or county governments or any public organization in the country.
The SRC is the country’s organization that creates various Job groups and assigns various Salaries to ensure equity in Public offices for all workers. The commission regularly reviews these structures to ensure they remain competitive and fair for public servants across all levels. As for the county governments, there are up to 18 Job groups ranging from B18 to B01, as follows:
- CPS B18
- CPS B17
- CPS B16
- CPS B15
- CPS B14
- CPS B13
- CPS B12
- CPS B11
- CPS B10
- CPS B09
- CPS B08
- CPS B07
- CPS B06
- CPS B05
- CPS B04
- CPS B03
- CPS B02
- CPS B01
The lowest Job group is the CPS B18, which is typically meant for entry-level positions. During this time, as you gain more experience or even increase your dedication, your Job Group raises, and so does your salary. Notably, the SRC provides annual salary increments within each job group bracket based on your employment anniversary date, ensuring progressive growth even within the same grade.
The highest Job group is the CPS B01, which is meant for senior management roles, including departmental heads, chief officers, and county executive committee members. The progression through these job groups follows a structured career development path that rewards both experience and performance.
Salary Scales and Allowances for County Government Employees
Employees working for the county government’s salaries are determined by the counties themselves in consultation with the SRC, not the national government alone. Therefore, how much an employee earns is mostly determined by the job groups that they find themselves in. As we have mentioned, there are about 18 Job groups in the counties, and below is the salary structure assigned to these Job groups:
| Job Group | Salary (KES) |
|---|---|
| CPS B01 | 169,140 |
| CPS B02 | 133,870 |
| CPS B03 | 121,430 |
| CPS B04 | 99,900 |
| CPS B05 | 87,360 |
| CPS B06 | 56,370 |
| CPS B07 | 49,000 |
| CPS B08 | 42,970 |
| CPS B09 | 38,270 |
| CPS B10 | 31,270 |
| CPS B11 | 25,470 |
| CPS B12 | 22,270 |
| CPS B13 | 16,890 |
| CPS B14 | 15,670 |
| CPS B15 | 14,610 |
| CPS B16 | 13,830 |
| CPS B17 | 13,530 |
| CPS B18 | 13,280 |
These figures represent the basic salaries before allowances and other benefits are added. It’s worth noting that within each job group, there’s typically a salary range that allows for annual increments based on years of service and performance evaluations.
County Executive Leadership Salaries
Beyond the regular county staff, the county executive leadership operates under a different salary structure. The senior county officials earn substantially more, reflecting their leadership responsibilities and the scope of their duties:
| Position | Gross Monthly Salary (Ksh) |
|---|---|
| County Governor | 957,000 |
| Deputy County Governor | 652,742 |
| County Executive Committee Member | 413,079 |
Allowances
In addition to the basic salary, county government employees also receive various allowances to supplement their income and cover specific needs. These allowances can vary depending on factors such as your job group, location, and specific duties.
However, it is also important to clarify that the allowances are not available to all county workers only based on application. Some common allowances include:
House Allowance
The housing allowances vary from one county to another, meaning that even though you might be in the same Job group, it will vary from one county to another. They are usually higher for workers in counties that are more urban or cities compared to counties that are less developed.
For instance, housing allowances for civil servants in Nairobi range between KES 16,500 and KES 80,000, depending on the job group. In less developed counties, the housing allowance can be as low as KES 2,250 for entry-level positions in lower job groups. This variation reflects the different costs of living across Kenya’s diverse counties.
Commuter Allowance
Another common allowance that mostly applies to all employees, especially those who are always on the road, is the commuter allowance or per diem rate. The exact figures vary, but it is also influenced by your Job groups, the lowest being Ksh 3,000 to as high as Ksh 20,000. This allowance helps employees cover transportation costs and is particularly important for staff whose duties require frequent travel within or outside their counties.
Additional Allowances
While the above are the most common types of allowances issued by the counties, other allowances include leave allowances, which are issued on an annual basis, and hardship allowances for counties in the hardship zones. Counties also provide medical allowances and in some cases, special duty allowances for employees working in challenging conditions or requiring specialized skills.
For senior county officials, additional benefits may include official residence provision, security details where necessary, and annual leave allowances that can range from KES 35,000 to KES 50,000 depending on the position.
Conclusion
Workers working for county governments are civil servants in Kenya whose pay is determined by the Job group they are placed in. If you are just getting started, you will start with a salary of Ksh 13,280 at the lowest job Group, B18, but with time, your salary can grow and even reach Ksh 169,140 in the highest job group, CPS B01.
The county government employment sector offers stable career opportunities with structured progression, competitive salaries when combined with allowances, and the satisfaction of serving your community directly. As Kenya’s devolution continues to mature, county governments remain significant employers offering diverse career paths for professionals across various fields and specializations.
