The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is the military of the Republic of Kenya.
Established in Article 41 of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, KDF is tasked with defending the country and its interests against external armed threats.
The Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, and the Kenya Navy are the three branches of KDF.
This article takes an in-depth look at the KDF salary, as well as ranks of the servicemen from the lowest to the highest.
KDF Ranks and Salaries
Private is the junior-most rank in the military while General is the senior-most soldier within the KDF.
Here is the full list of KDF rankings:
Non-commissioned officers
These are soldiers who have not followed a commission. They earn their positions of authority by rising through the enlisted ranks.
Private: This is the lowest rank in KDF. As a freshman soldier, you will have to pass Phase 1 Training.
Lance Corporals: A private can become a Lance Corporal after three years of service in KDF, or pass the Phase 2. As a Lance Corporal, you will have the ability to manage a small team up to four soldiers. This team is called a section.
Corporal: this position is achieved after six-eight years of military service. The promotion also depends on your leadership skills.
As a Corporal, you will have the ability to manage a bigger number of soldiers and military equipment – tanks and guns.
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Sergeant: After twelve years of good military service, a Corporal can be promoted to Sergeant. Up to 35 soldiers will be in your command.
Staff/Color Sergeant: You can become a Staff/Color Sergeant after two years of work as a Sergeant. This is the highest position of soldiers and equipment manager. You will be able to command of a whole troop or platoon.
Warrant Officer Class 2: As a Warrant Officer Class 2 you will have to be fully focused on training, prosperity, discipline of up to 120 soldiers. Warrant Officer Class 2 can be promoted to Officer position.
Warrant Officer Class 1: It is the main soldier position in KDF. It can be reached only after 18 years of brilliant military service. They are in command of up to 650 officers and soldiers.
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Commissioned Officers
These are military officers who join the KDF as cadets. They start their training at Kenya Military Academy in Lanet, Nakuru County.
They include:
Officer Cadet: This position can be gained after initial officer training Lanet.
Second Lieutenant: The starting KDF commissioned rank. Usually, it is held for up to three years, during which you will have to pass special training. A Second Lieutenant is responsible for up to 30 soldiers.
Lieutenant: This position is held after three years of good service as a Second Lieutenant.
Captain: Responsible for up to 120 soldiers and are involved in the planning and decision-making process.
Major: This position is gained between 8-10 years of military service. Usually, as a Major, you will have the ability to manage up to 120 officers and soldiers 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: Is the lowest staff rank and mostly they are not field commanders.
Brigadier: It is a Field Officer Rank. As a brigadier, you will be in charge of a brigade.
Major General: is in charge of divisions and senior staff appointments.
Lieutenant General: is in charge of Corps sized formations and is second most important rank in KDF.
General: this is the topmost rank in the KDF. Only one person can hold this position at a time.
Kenya army salary
The salary of a new recruit is Ksh 7,172.
KDF cadets salary is Ksh 11,852 per month.
Officer cadets earns Ksh 24,520 per month after serving in the army for three years.
The salary of Privates is between Ksh 19,941 and Ksh 30,000.
The salary of Lance Corporals is from Ksh 26,509 to Ksh 50,000.
The salary of Corporal – Ksh 32,250 to Ksh 70,000.
The salary of Captains – Ksh 73,182 to Ksh 110,000.
The salary of Majors – Ksh 102,106- Ksh 150,000.
The salary of Lt. Colonels Ksh 130,735 – Ksh 180,000.
The salary of Colonels is Ksh 153,317 – Ksh 300,000.
The salary of Lieutenant Generals – Ksh 632,984 – Ksh 800,000.
The Commander of the Kenya Air Force earns Ksh 906,014 per month.
The Commander of the Kenya Navy is paid Ksh 902,432 per month.
The Vice Chief of KDF earns Ksh 927,500 per month.
The Chief of Defence Forces earns Ksh 1,120,000 per month.
I scored a D- on my k.c.s.e national exam in 2016, i have worked in afghanistan with american’s military, i was a dispatcher in linguistics department and am interested to join the kenyan defence forc and I am a kenyan. How can i be able or the steps should i make to be one of the the kenyans defence force
With grade D- is much harder unless you have connections. If you read the conditions you are supposed to meet maybe u will understand better. Minimum grade is D+
Alex, you only have to wait until the time of recruitment period that’s where you will be asses if at all you are meeting the requirements. That’s is the only solutions there is no short cut in joining forces until you attend training and finished it that’s where you be called a Kdf soldier.
Am in need to join cadet kdf, when is the recruitment?
Jamaa hapa lazima ujue mtu,Immagine every year they only shortlist 500 people after interview they are reduced 250 -300.I have a few friend who are cadets believe you need a lot of cash to bribe and many people be an officer in kdf.Given the qualification is kcse B plain which is achieved by many people
Am Kenyan by birth,am interested in kdf
I’m Mike Juma a Kenyan citizen by birth presently in National Youth service since 2021…..I’m proud of KDF and interested to join if given chance…0796682606… thanks for your pages about KDF 🙏
The salary scale is just very wrong. Fanya research legit