President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced a 12 per cent increment in the minimum wage with effect from today.
Speaking at Nyayo National Stadium during celebrations to mark Labour Day marked globally on every May 1, Kenyatta said the rise was inevitable to cushion workers.
“I today declare an increase of minimum wage by 12 per cent points with effect from today,” he said.
The Head of State called on the employers to make adjustments to protect their welfare.
“I call on the private sector, please let us work in the same spirit, let us all make the adjustments, that will sustain the wellness of our labour force, let us sacrifice a portion of our profits,” he said.
Food prices for basic commodities have risen by an average of 20 per cent.
Kenyans have been taking to social media to protest about the high cost of living in the country driven by a spike in the cost of basic commodities including food, electricity and fuel.
They have criticised the government for failing to stem the rise in the prices of everyday items which they say has made life unbearable.
In January, the overall inflation rate in the country fell slightly for the second straight month – to 5 per cent but the prices of basic food commodities like maize flour and wheat flour, potatoes, vegetables and fruits continued rising – which may disproportionately impact low- and middle-income households.
Food inflation for the month of January stood at 9 per cent, meaning many Kenyans struggled to put food on the table.
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) says for poorer households, where food accounts for about 36 per cent of total spending, the burden is even higher.