President William Ruto on Friday, May 1, announced an increase in the minimum wage for workers in the formal sector during Labour Day celebrations held at Chavakali Boys High School.
The President approved a 12 percent rise in general wages and a 15 percent increase for agricultural workers, marking a significant adjustment aimed at improving workers’ earnings.
Earlier, Francis Atwoli, Secretary-General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions Kenya, had urged the government to consider a higher increase of at least 23 percent.
Minimum wage up as the government moves to boost workers’ earnings. Photo: Courtesy.
Atwoli told Ruto that a higher minimum wage increase would strengthen public support for the government and enhance its standing among workers and the broader population.
The President, in turn, reaffirmed his commitment to national unity and defended his cooperation with the Orange Democratic Movement under the broad-based government framework.
He urged leaders and residents from the Mulembe region to back his 2027 re-election bid, pledging continued development projects, including plans for a modern railway station.
Ruto also criticised a section of leaders allied to the opposition, accusing them of undermining key infrastructure initiatives such as the expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway and the dualling of the Rironi–Mau Summit Road.
