The updated minimum wage schedule, as indicated in Legal Notices No. 163 and 164, covers a range of occupations, from general labourers, farm workers, and domestic workers to artisans, drivers, and more skilled professions.
The government is set to implement a 6 percent increase in the minimum wage across various sectors, bringing much-needed relief to thousands of Kenyan employees.
This announcement was made on Saturday, October 12 in a gazette notice signed by Labour Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua, who argued that the wage increase is pivotal in improving the standards of employees. The increase is set to take effect on November 1, 2024.
“Today marks a significant step in our journey toward improving the livelihoods of Kenyan workers. Under the leadership of H.E. William Samoei Ruto, we have implemented a 6% increase in the minimum wage across various sectors, effective from November 1st, 2024,” announced Mutua in part.
“The signing of the gazette notice, which was witnessed by President Ruto at State House Nairobi, is a testament to our commitment to ensuring fair compensation for all Kenyan workers.”
President William Ruto (centre) and Francis Atwoli (second left) watch on as Labour CS Alfred Mutua signs Gazette notice implementing a 6% increase in minimum wage across different sectors. /ALFRED MUTUA
Months of negotiations between the government, trade unions, and employers culminated in this decision. Initially, employers pushed for the establishment of the National Wages Council as a prerequisite for discussions on wage increments, to which Mutua replied by gazetting the council alongside several others, paving the way for structured negotiations.
“As the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, it is my responsibility to implement this increase across different industries, as outlined in the recently amended wage orders. We have updated the Regulation of Wages for both the General and Agricultural sectors, which will directly benefit workers across the nation. This adjustment ensures that the wages reflect the current economic environment and provide a better standard of living,” he added.
The updated minimum wage schedule, as indicated in Legal Notices No. 163 and 164, covers a range of occupations, from general labourers, farm workers, and domestic workers to artisans, drivers, and more skilled professions.
Breakdown Of Sectors
The new schedule, outlined in the Labour Institutions Act Cap 234, sets the minimum wage for unskilled employees at Ksh7,997 per month, which equates to Ksh335 per day. Stockmen and herdsmen will see their monthly earnings rise to Ksh9,235, which equates to Ksh391 daily, an increase that recognises the hard work of such essential roles.
Substantial wage hikes will also benefit skilled and semi-skilled workers. House servants and cooks will now earn a minimum of Ksh9,129 monthly, while farm foremen will receive Ksh14,427. Additionally, farm clerks will earn the same amount as other positions such as farm artisans, tractor drivers, and lorry drivers, who see wages set between Ksh9,000 and Ksh11,000 per month.
General labourers, including cleaners, sweepers, gardeners, children’s ayahs, house servants, day watchmen, and messengers, will now earn a monthly minimum of Ksh16,113.75, or Ksh775 per day.
Miners, stone cutters, turnboys, waiters, cooks, loggers, and line cutters will receive a new monthly wage of Ksh17,402.97, which equates to Ksh836.50 per day. Night watchmen will now be paid Ksh17,976.54 monthly.
Machine attendants, sawmill sawyers, machine assistants, mass production machinists, shoe cutters, bakery workers, bakery assistants, and tailor assistants will see their salaries increase to Ksh18,263.27 per month, with a daily rate of Ksh877.
The monthly pay for machinists (made to measure), shoe upper preparers, chaplis makers, vehicle service workers (at petrol and service stations), bakery plant hands, laundry operators, junior clerks, and light wheel tractor drivers will now be Ksh20,848.40.
Printing machine operators, bakery machine operators, plywood machine operators, sawmill dressers, shop assistants, machine tool operators, dough makers, table hand bakers or confectioners, copy typists, and drivers of cars and light vans will earn a minimum of Ksh21,748.87 monthly.
Pattern designers (draughtsmen), garment and dress cutters, single-hand oven operators, chargehand bakers, general clerks, telephone operators, receptionists, and storekeepers will receive Ksh24,818.31 per month. Tailors and drivers of medium-sized vehicles will now have a basic salary of Ksh27,352.40.
Dyers, crawler tractor drivers, and salesmen will see their pay rise to Ksh30,196.64. Meanwhile, saw doctors and building caretakers will earn Ksh33,416.82, with a daily wage of Ksh1,609. Cashiers, drivers of heavy commercial vehicles, and salesman drivers will have their monthly salaries set at Ksh36,360.92 or Ksh1,750.54 per day.
Artisan wages have also been adjusted, with ungraded artisans now earning Ksh21,748.92. Artisan Grade III will be paid Ksh27,352.45, Grade II will receive Ksh29,542.36 and Artisan Grade I will make Ksh36,360.92.
According to CS Mutua, the milestone was achieved in collaboration with social partners, including the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), led by Secretary General Francis Atwoli and the Federation of Kenya Employers, represented by Executive Director Jacqueline Mugo.
“Their presence at State House, Nairobi, during the signing, underscored the importance of unity and cooperation in advocating for the welfare of our workforce. As we move forward, I urge all employers to comply with the new wage structure, ensuring that every worker is paid fairly. This increase is a vital part of our broader effort to improve working conditions, create decent jobs, and strengthen our economy,” added Mutua.
President William Ruto with COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli during the 58th Labour Day Celebration at Uhuru Gardens on May 1, 2023. /PCS