Kenyan President Directs 6% Minimum Wage Increase Amid Compliance Push

Kenyan President William Ruto has ordered the Labour Cabinet Secretary to initiate a review of the statutory minimum wage, targeting a 6% raise. The directive, issued during Labour Day celebrations, follows widespread non-compliance with last year’s wage adjustment mandate.

The Ministry of Labor will collaborate with the Head of Public Service to enforce existing wage agreements while drafting new terms. Notably, the administration is extending collective bargaining rights to outsourced workers, requiring their inclusion in national trade unions.

This wage policy shift operates within the framework of Kenya’s Labour Institutions Act of 2007, utilizing tripartite labor relations mechanisms. President Ruto’s move signals stronger labor market interventions amid economic pressures.