COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has moved to clarify President William Ruto’s recent Labour Day wage announcement, emphasizing that the 12 per cent salary increment is a general wage increase for Kenyan workers and not a minimum wage adjustment as some had interpreted.
Speaking to the press on Saturday 2nd May 2026, Atwoli dismissed claims that the increase only targets workers earning the minimum wage, insisting the President’s announcement was clear and broad in scope.
“The 12 per cent wage increase was not a minimum wage increase. It was a general wage increase, and you heard the President himself announcing it,” Atwoli said.
He explained that the 15 per cent increment announced for agricultural workers is separate and specifically applies to that sector, while the 12 per cent adjustment covers workers across the board.
“There is a difference between minimum wage and a general wage increase. Fifteen per cent was a minimum wage increase for agricultural sector workers, but overall Kenyans… are entitled to the 12 per cent wage increase,” he stated.
Atwoli revealed that President Ruto personally clarified the matter after the Labour Day celebrations, directing Labour Ministry officials to treat the announcement as a nationwide wage adjustment rather than a revision of minimum wage regulations.
“This is a general wage increase, and the President clarified it… He told the Minister for Labour that this is not a minimum wage increase; I have given Kenyans a general wage increase,” Atwoli noted.
He also criticized the Federation of Kenya Employers for suggesting otherwise, saying the position misrepresented the government’s announcement.
“Let Jacqueline Mugo of FKE be told that this is a general wage increase. Let it not be mistaken,” he said.
President Ruto made the announcement during Labour Day celebrations at Chavakali High School, saying the wage adjustments are aimed at cushioning workers against the rising cost of living and improving livelihoods as part of the government’s economic transformation agenda.
