Government security officers deployed as personal security officers will receive a uniform monthly salary top-up allowance of Sh45,625 following approval by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
The allowance takes effect from July 1 and is intended to standardise compensation for officers assigned to provide uninterrupted personal security to eligible state and public officers.
Some of the affected officers said the new rate represents a significant increase from the Sh30,000 monthly top-up they had previously been receiving for similar assignments.
The SRC said the move is aimed at promoting fairness and consistency in the remuneration of officers undertaking specialised personal security duties across the public service.
There are about 12,000 police officers serving as bodyguards in the country, providing protection to the President, judges, Cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries and other senior public officials. Others are assigned to governors and members of Parliament.
Other police officers who receive separate allowances described them as inadequate.
In a circular, SRC chairperson Sammy Chepkwony said the allowance would only be payable for the period an officer is deployed as a personal security officer and would cease once the officer returns to their parent institution.
Under the new guidelines, officers currently earning less than Sh45,625 as a salary top-up will automatically have their allowance adjusted to the new rate.
Those already receiving a higher top-up allowance will retain their existing benefits on a personal-to-holder basis until the end of their current deployment.
The commission, however, excluded security officers assigned to protect the President and the Deputy President, as well as officers deployed within national security organs or public security institutions as part of their normal duties.
"Public sector institutions should adopt the approved rate of salary top-up allowance for government security officers deployed to provide uninterrupted personal safety and security to eligible State officers and other public officers," the circular states.
It further directs the allowance be paid at the approved uniform rate regardless of the rank or cadre of the deployed officer.
The circular was circulated to the Attorney General, Controller of Budget, Auditor General, Chief Justice, Director of Public Prosecutions, Cabinet secretaries, PSs, governors, constitutional commissions, Parliament, county governments, public universities, state corporations and other public institutions.
The deployment of armed police officers as personal bodyguards has long sparked public debate, particularly over the criteria for assigning officers and the growing demand for VIP protection amid policing needs elsewhere.
