Cotu Rejects New Wages Published by Labour CS
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The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) has rejected the wage increments published by Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua. According to Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli, the published wages do not reflect the 12 per cent increase as directed by President William Ruto.
On May 1, 2026, President Ruto announced a 12 per cent general wage increase for Kenyan workers and a 15 per cent wage increase for agricultural workers. Atwoli says this was a public promise to Kenyan workers, and Cotu demands that the government implement it exactly as announced.
Househelps in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Eldoret should be paid Sh18,047 per month or Sh868.44 as daily wages, according to the Labour CS's gazette notice. A watchman in these cities should be remunerated at Sh20,133 a month or Sh966.02 a day. If the watchman is based on former municipalities, then the rate becomes Sh18,665 a month or Sh900 a day.
Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli says this effort by the Labour CS undermines the President's directive and denies millions of Kenyan workers the benefits promised. Atwoli insists that a general wage increase and a minimum wage increase are two distinct legal and policy interventions.
While a minimum wage benefits workers earning the statutory minimum, a general wage increase is intended to improve the earnings of workers across the wage structure. Atwoli says this increase will ensure that inflation and the increasing cost of living do not continue to erode workers' purchasing power.
Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli says he has called on Labour CS Alfred Mutua to urgently take the necessary legal and administrative measures to gazette the 12 per cent general wage increase exactly as announced by the President.
Such efforts not only undermine the spirit and intention of the President’s directive but also deny millions of Kenyan workers the benefits that were publicly promised by the Head of State.
The dispute over wage increments started in June 2026 when Labour CS Alfred Mutua published basic minimum monthly wages. This move caused
a lot of reaction from Kenyans due to the set base salaries. For example, a watchman in Nairobi is supposed to be paid Sh20,133 a month or Sh966.02 a day. If based on former municipalities, the watchman would get Sh18,665 a month or Sh900 a day.
### Cotu's background
Francis Atwoli is the Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu). Atwoli has been a vocal advocate for workers' rights in Kenya and has been involved in several disputes with the government over labour policies.
### Labour CS's background
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has been a key player in Kenya's labour policies. Mutua was appointed to the position in 2024 after serving as the CS for Environment and Forestry.
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