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APA-Nairobi (Kenya)02 May 2026 | 08:28
Kenyan president William Ruto Friday announced a 12 percent salary increase for government employees during the 2026 Labour Day celebrations in Vihiga County.
“I am pleased to announce a 12 percent increase in general wages and a 15 percent increase in agricultural wages in recognition of the sacrifice, resilience and immense contribution of our workers to the growth and stability of our economy,” Ruto said.
According to recently released data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, workers within the agriculture sector will get a 15 per cent increment. The announcement comes after the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) had requested for a 23 percent wage increment.
Ruto also said the Labour Ministry was in the final stages of preparing instruments for submission to cabinet in line with the Treaty Making and Ratification Act and other legal requirements.
“I am equally pleased to inform our workers that, following my directive to ratify International Labour Organization Convention No. 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers and Convention No. 190 on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, the National Labour Board has completed the ratification process,” he said.
Ruto said the wage review was in recognition of the sacrifices Kenyan workers continue to make in supporting the country’s economy.
“In recognition of the sacrifice, resilience, and immense contribution of our workers to the growth and stability of our economy,” the President said, the government had decided to review wages upward.
The increase follows sustained pressure from the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), whose Secretary General Francis Atwoli has repeatedly pushed for better pay and stronger worker protections.
While workers welcomed the announcement, employers have previously warned that a sharp wage increase could put more pressure on struggling businesses, especially small and medium enterprises still recovering from economic challenges.
COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, earlier in his remarks pleaded with the president to honour his pledges made last year, and see to the ratification of the ILO Conventions 189 and 190.
“Mr President, I urge you to ensure the ratification of these two key conventions already ratified by other countries,” said Atwoli.
MG/as/APA