The Kenyan government has announced a 12 per cent increase in minimum wage for Kenyan workers effective May 1, 2022.
The new rate is however, lower than COTU’s 23.4 percent wish.
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta made the announcement during this year’s May Day celebrations at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park, a low-key event marked by low attendance by the public.
“We understand your daily struggles too and are working hard to tackle these challenges. We know that for two straight years, we have not increased the minimum wage. So, after consultation with key stakeholders, I have directed that the minimum wage be increased by 12 percent,” said President Kenyatta.
Minimum Wages in Kenya remained unchanged at 13572 KES/Month in 2020 from 13572 KES/Month in 2019.
Minimum Wages in Kenya is expected to reach 14900.00 KES/Month by the end of 2022, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts’ expectations.
The Kenya Federation of Employers (FKE), on the other hand, insists that the government ought to lower prices of basic commodities in order to better caution citizens from high cost of living.
“We understand the plight of workers and the pressure that comes with the increase. The cost of living is hard but we recommend the government to reduce the prices of other commodities such as milk,” said FKE Executive Director, Jacqueline Mugo.
But, the government insists it also has the interest of the manufactures at heart. Thus, the president said that they will meet with the Industrialization Cabinet Secretary to explore other non-labour factors of protecting consumers.
