Nairobi: Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General, Francis Atwoli, has clarified that the 12 percent pay rise announced during this year’s Labour Day celebrations applies to all workers, dismissing media reports that framed it as a minimum wage adjustment.
According to Kenya News Agency, Atwoli, speaking at the Tom Mboya Labour College on Saturday, emphasized that the directive by President William Ruto constituted a general wage increase across the board, arguing that every salaried Kenyan stands to benefit. ‘There is a clear distinction between minimum wage and general wage increase. What the President gave Kenyans is a general wage increase of 12 percent,’ Atwoli stated.
Atwoli further explained that even those whose minimum wage has been adjusted are still entitled to this general increase. He highlighted that while specific categories such as agricultural workers received a higher minimum wage adjustment cited at about 15 percent, the broader policy direction was to lift incomes across all sectors.
He criticized sections of the media and employer bodies, including remarks attributed to the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), for misrepresenting the wage increase as solely a minimum wage review, which he argued could undermine the policy’s intent. ‘You cannot call it a minimum wage increment. This is meant to move all Kenyan workers to a better economic position,’ he clarified, adding that even union employees, including himself, would implement the 12 percent adjustment.
The COTU boss defended the increment as timely, citing improved economic performance and the need to cushion workers after a prolonged period of stagnation. He noted that some employees had not seen salary reviews for years, praising the president for the bold step. ‘There are workers who have stayed on the same pay for up to 20 years. Without government intervention, employers would keep them at the same level,’ he remarked.
Atwoli argued that the increase aligns with past interventions by previous administrations, referencing former presidents Daniel Arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta, who at different times adjusted wages in response to economic conditions. He maintained that the current adjustment, coming after a 6 percent review in 2024 and no increment in 2025, was justified and beneficial. ‘Even for negotiators, you cannot dismiss a 12 percent increase. It is significant and will improve livelihoods,’ he asserted.
He also dismissed claims that the Labour Day celebrations had been politicized, insisting that trade unions have historically played a central role in Kenya’s political and economic development. ‘Trade unions and politics are intertwined. We have always agitated for social and economic change,’ he said.
The clarification comes amid debate over the implementation of the Labour Day announcement, with workers and employers seeking clarity on whether the directive is mandatory across sectors or subject to negotiations.
