The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) secretary-general, Francis Atwoli, has urged the Kenyan government to promptly review and enhance the minimum wage for workers in his New Year address. He highlighted the pressing need to raise the statutory minimum wage, which varies by location and job category. Atwoli also called on private sector employers to create a supportive environment for Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations.
In his New Year address, Francis Atwoli stated that workers in this country have greatly contributed to building and strengthening the economy. “I urge the government to start working on how to improve the minimum wage, and I also call on employers to ease negotiations on Collective Bargaining Agreements,” Atwoli said.
Under the existing wage framework, general workers in major cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret earn a minimum of about Ksh 16,113 per month, while those in smaller towns and rural areas receive around Ksh 8,596. Certain worker categories, such as cooks, night watchmen, and miners, have slightly higher minimum wages based on their roles and locations.
These rates are governed by the Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order 2024, which establishes the legal minimum across various sectors. In November 2024, the government enacted a 6 percent increase in minimum wages, boosting earnings for workers nationwide. This framework serves as the benchmark until a new wage order is issued.
Atwoli further advised the government to plan early this year to improve terms and conditions for public service employees before May. In a related development, last December, Atwoli directed private security companies to comply immediately with the Ksh 30,000 minimum wage directive. He pointed out widespread non-compliance, noting that of the 2,000 registered firms, only 30 were tax compliant, over 800 failed to adhere to labor laws on minimum wages or pay taxes, and another 800 lacked physical business premises.