In a nation where the men and women in uniform are often hailed as the backbone of national security, a significant wage disparity has brought attention to the plight of Kenya’s army personnel.
While those in positions of power enjoy high salaries, the country’s disciplined forces, especially the army, are at the bottom of the pay scale. This raises serious concerns about fairness and justice in the allocation of public funds.
The numbers are striking: Members of Parliament (MPs), who hold legislative power, earn a minimum salary exceeding Kshs. 739,600, which is more than 100 times the minimum wage of a cadet in the Kenya Army. Teachers, who are highly regarded for their role in shaping future generations, receive Kshs. 22,793, more than three times what the average army officer earns. Police officers, responsible for maintaining law and order, earn nearly three times the army’s baseline pay of Kshs. 7,172, while civil servants receive double that amount at Kshs. 13,280.
These figures reveal more than just a pay gap; they expose a systemic neglect of those who are expected to sacrifice their lives in service to the country. The disparity is particularly troubling considering the high cost of living in Kenya, which affects army personnel just as it does other citizens. However, the army’s pleas for better compensation are stifled, as their discipline and lack of a strong union leave them virtually voiceless in the face of economic injustice.
Dr. Isaac Newton Kinity, a vocal advocate for reform, has raised important questions about the root causes of this neglect. He suggests that corruption and mismanagement of public funds have significantly contributed to the wage disparities. He points out that the Kenya Police earn considerably more than the army, a situation that he attributes to systemic corruption rather than a fair assessment of the value of their work.
“Why are our army personnel so overlooked?” Dr. Kinity asks. “Do our leaders believe that the high cost of living does not affect the military and their families? Or do they assume that army officers lead separate lives from other Kenyans?”
Dr. Kinity argues that the Kenyan leadership has failed to prioritize the needs of the military, diverting funds that could have addressed these disparities and created jobs for the country’s youth. Instead, these leaders have chosen personal enrichment, leaving the army to bear the consequences of their neglect.
As the nation grapples with these issues, the calls for change grow louder. Dr. Kinity emphasizes that the struggle must continue if Kenya is to truly acknowledge and reward the sacrifices made by its soldiers.
While the figures mentioned in this story are based on available data from 2023, and the situation may have changed, the underlying issues persist. The Kenyan public and its leaders, he says, must now face the consequences of this long-standing inequality as the country’s army personnel continue to serve with bravery and dedication despite the financial challenges they endure.
