The government plans to raise the minimum wage effective November 1, 2024, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring fair compensation for workers contributing to the nation’s economy.
A gazette notice signed by Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua announced that this increase follows months of negotiations between the government and trade unions.
The new wage structure will vary by region, with higher pay rates for workers in the five major cities: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret.
For example, a house servant or day watchman in Nairobi will earn sh. 16,113 per month, equating to sh. 775 daily.
In contrast, a watchman in Limuru will receive sh. 14,866, or sh. 712 per day.
Workers in the five cities will see higher wages, with turnboys, waiters, or stone cutters earning sh. 17,402 and night watchmen receiving sh. 17,976.
Other notable wage increases include bakery workers and tailors in urban areas, who will earn sh. 18,263, while petrol station attendants will receive sh. 20,848.
Cashiers and heavy commercial drivers are set to earn sh. 36,360 monthly, while tractor drivers and salespersons will receive sh. 30,196.
Following the gazettement, CS Mutua expressed confidence in the government’s dedication to improving compensation for all Kenyan workers.
“It is my responsibility to implement this increase across various industries as per the newly amended wage orders,” he stated.
“We have revised the Regulation of Wages for both general and agricultural sectors, benefiting workers nationwide.”
Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli praised the decision, urging stakeholders to renegotiate their Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) to align with the new wage structure.
“We advise our affiliates to negotiate a two-year cycle CBA for flexibility in response to changing economic conditions,” he noted.
This announcement follows President Ruto’s call for a 6% minimum wage increase during the Labour Day celebrations in May 2024, emphasizing the need for discussions among relevant authorities.
Factors such as inflation, cost of living, and economic growth were key considerations in this wage adjustment.
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