Atwoli Addresses Confusion Surrounding Ruto’s 12% Wage Hike, Clarifies Nationwide Pay Increase Policy

Central Organization of Trade Unions Secretary General Francis Atwoli has stepped in to address confusion surrounding President William Ruto’s recent Labour Day wage announcement.

Speaking to the press on Saturday, May 2, 2026, Atwoli dismissed claims that the 12 per cent increment targets only minimum wage earners, saying the directive had been widely misunderstood, particularly by employers’ organisations.

Atwoli maintained that the president’s pronouncement was clear and deliberate, insisting the wage adjustment cuts across different income levels in both public and private sectors. He emphasized that workers should not be misled into thinking the increase is limited.

“The 12 per cent wage increase was not a minimum wage increase. It was a general wage increase,” Atwoli said, adding that the president explicitly communicated this during the Labour Day celebrations.

He pointed out that confusion arose from failure to distinguish between minimum wage adjustments and general wage increases. According to him, the two are separate policy tools with different implications for workers and employers.

Atwoli explained that while certain sectors, such as agriculture, received a 15 per cent minimum wage adjustment, the broader 12 per cent increment applies to all workers, regardless of their current salary scale.

“There is a difference between minimum wage and a general wage increase,” he stated, noting that even those whose salaries had already been adjusted under sector-specific guidelines still qualify for the 12 per cent raise.

The veteran trade unionist revealed that the clarification had been reinforced during direct consultations between labour leaders and the president, where the intention behind the directive was discussed in detail.

He disclosed that during a meeting involving labour officials, President Ruto reaffirmed that the increment was meant to benefit all Kenyan workers, not just those at the lowest pay levels.

Atwoli urged employers to comply with the directive and avoid selective implementation, warning that misinterpretation could deny workers their rightful earnings.

The clarification now sets the stage for potential standoffs between unions and employers, as implementation details are expected to spark fresh debate across sectors.

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