Ruto announce 12 per cent wages increment for general workers
President William Ruto has announced a 12 per cent increase in minimum wages for Kenyan workers and a 15 per cent pay rise for agricultural workers, in a move aimed at easing the cost-of-living burden and improving livelihoods.
Speaking during Labour Day celebrations held in Vihiga County, the President said the decision followed consultations with workers’ representatives, particularly the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU).
“I am pleased to announce a 12 per cent increase in general wages and a 15 per cent increase in agricultural wages to all Kenyan workers,” Ruto said, addressing thousands of workers who attended the event, which was hosted in Vihiga for the first time.
During the same event, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli raised concerns over rising political activity in the country ahead of the next general election, urging the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to rein in what he described as premature campaigns.
Atwoli warned that early political mobilisation and inflammatory rhetoric risk undermining national stability and economic progress. He called on political actors to wait for the IEBC to officially declare the campaign period.
“We are very much concerned about the ongoing political rallies in this Republic,” Atwoli said. “We urge the IEBC to put a stop to this menace and ask Kenyans to wait until the commission releases the campaign calendar.”
He cautioned that unchecked political tensions could fuel divisions and trigger instability, with workers, women and children bearing the greatest impact. According to him, economic activity often slows during periods of unrest, directly affecting household incomes.
“Workers cannot run away,” he said, adding that leaders who incite division are often absent when crises unfold.
Atwoli further urged authorities to strictly enforce electoral laws and ensure adherence to the official timetable, noting that the country is not currently in an electioneering period and should instead focus on development.
He also linked political stability to economic growth, warning that ongoing infrastructure projects and reforms could be derailed by unnecessary political agitation. He pointed to government initiatives such as affordable housing and major road projects as key drivers of job creation and improved living standards.
Beyond politics, Atwoli highlighted several labour priorities, including the need for stronger collaboration between employers and unions through collective bargaining agreements to improve workers’ terms of service.
He also called for the ratification of key international labour standards, particularly those protecting domestic workers and enhancing workplace safety, while raising concerns over outsourcing practices that may expose workers to unequal treatment.
Additionally, Atwoli commended the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) for expanding its investment role, noting that it continues to strengthen social protection while contributing to national development.
