In about 3 years of no review with an increase of high cost of living in ranging between 5 to 6 percent annually, president Kenyatta announces a 12% increase in minimum wage. Addressing workers at Nyayo stadium in Nairobi during this year’s Labor Day, his excellency the president said that his government found it necessary to increase the minimum wages by 12% to cushion workers.

“There is a compelling case to review the minimum wages so as to cushion our workers against further erosion of their purchasing power while also guaranteeing of our economy”- President Kenyatta said.

In his speech he asked the private sector to make re-adjustments that secure elusive balance between the profitability and sustaining the wellness of their force. He also pointed out that if the government has to cushion its people, it has to pay a certain amount of money for fuel as a subsidy.

“The government had to pay 29 shillings per liter as a subsidy. We have similarly subsidized diesel which is currently at 125.5 shillings per liter, the lowest price of diesel in our region and beyond secured by the government subsidy of Kshs 40.2 per liter, Commander in chief said.

In his statement, Jua kali artisans in Kariobangi, Ngong road and Kamukunji were among the groups that were commended by the president for embracing a positive energy by coming together where they formed a company worth Ksh 250 million which have really contributed to the country’s economy.

On his finally remarks, the President encouraged the workers to embrace a positive energy and continue to power the country’s development by building and believing on Kenyan Dream.

Jane Kibathi-Nairobi