The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) has directed all employers to immediately implement the new statutory minimum wage increase following the gazettement of revised wage regulations.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

FKE on Tuesday, June 30, called on all employers to review their payrolls after the Labour Ministry published the Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order, 2026 and Regulation of Wages (Agricultural Industry) (Amendment) Order, 2026.

The announcement comes just two months after President William Ruto announced a 12 per cent general wage increase for all workers and a 15 per cent minimum wage hike for agriculture sector employees.

"As you are aware, President William Samoei Ruto during Labour Day celebrations held on May 1, 2026, announced a 12 per cent increase in general Minimum wages and a 15 per cent increase in agricultural minimum wages," FKE said in a statement to employers.

📌 What You Need to Know

The employers' umbrella body noted that the gazettement of the new wage order now makes the salary adjustments legally enforceable, requiring employers to align their wage structures with the new statutory minimums.

"Employers are hereby advised to review and implement the necessary adjustments to ensure full compliance with the revised statutory minimum wage requirements effective 1st May 2026," the Federation added.

The revised wage schedules prescribe new monthly, daily and hourly minimum wages across different occupations and geographical regions.

Employees in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret cities will receive higher minimum wages than those working in municipalities and other parts of the country.

Under the new wage order, the minimum monthly salary for cleaners, sweepers, gardeners, children's ayahs, messengers and watchmen working in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret has increased to Ksh18,047.40.

Workers classified as miners, stone cutters, cooks, waiters, line cutters and loggers will now earn a minimum of Ksh19,491.33, while night watchmen will receive at least Ksh20,133.72 per month.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke