Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has revised the minimum wage salaries for workers, setting them on a path to earning decently across the country.

In the revised schedule, CS Mutua said the changes would see domestic and skilled labourers enjoy increased perks after striking a pact with lobour officials and employers.

“Today marks a significant step in our journey toward improving the livelihoods of Kenyan workers. Under the leadership of President William Ruto we have implemented a 6% increase in the minimum wage,” Mutua said on Saturday, October 12, 2024.

The new schedule will see general labourers including sweepers, children ayah’s, cleaners, house servants, day watchman and messengers earn at least Ksh16,100 in the cities of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret.

Former municipalities

Those working in the former municipalities and town councils of Mavoko, Ruiru and Limuru will earn a monthly salary of Ksh14,800 while those in other regions will be entitled to at least Ksh8,500.

However, the new guidelines also spell out that cooks, stone cutters, turnboys and waiters in the cities will earn at least Ksh17,400 in cities and Ksh15,200 in the former municipalities of Mavoko, Ruiru and Limuru. Those in other regions will take home at least Ksh9,900.

Also, the gazette notice indicated that unskilled workers will pocket at least Ksh7,997, a stockman and herdsman will pocket at least Ksh9,200 per month for his toils while a house servant or cook will pocket Ksh9,100 monthly.

The notice also set the minimum wage payable to tractor drivers at Ksh10,100, combined harvester drivers to earn at least Ksh11,100, and medium-weight lorry drivers to take home a monthly salary of at least Ksh11,718.

Machine attendants, sawmill sawyers, machine assistants, mass production machinists, shoe cutter, bakery worker, bakery assistants and tailor assistants will receive a minimum pay ranging from Ksh18,200 to Ksh13,700 depending on the geographical region within which they work and the prevailing economic circumstances.

Shoe factory workers

Also, machinists made to measure, shoe upper preparers, chaplis makers, vehicle service workers including petrol station service workers and laundry operators in the cities of Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nakuru and Eldoret will earn a minimum wage of Ksh20,800 while their counterparts in smaller towns will earn anywhere between Ksh19,500 and Ksh15,900.

The gazette notice was signed in the presence of President Ruto and the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) boss Francis Atwoli as well as the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) Executive Director Jacqueline Mugo.