President Uhuru Kenyatta has declared a minimum pay increase of 12 per cent, permitted by law with impact from May 1, 2022, to pad labourers against additional disintegration of their buying power.
He highlighted that for over three years, there has been no survey of the minimum wages, meanwhile, the cost for many everyday items has increased with expansion running between 5 to 6 per cent every year, the President said the Government has tracked down the importance of increasing the minimum wages.
“In that regard, and in full appreciation of the critical contribution of workers to the economy; following the recommendation of various stakeholders; as a caring Government, we find that 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 the competitiveness of our economy,” the President said.
President Kenyatta addressed on Sunday at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi when he led Kenyan workers in denoting the current year's Labor Day.
The Head of State acknowledged the good work and flexibility of labourers in reinforcing the country's endeavours to quickly return and assemble more ground in the country after the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said, “Our workers are the backbone of our economy and our way of life. Throughout the Covid-19 disruptions that began in the year 2020, our workers have kept the Kenyan flame burning bright. For that, we will remain forever grateful and indebted to them."
While lauding the country for staying centred despite the misfortunes, for example, the Covid-19 and the worldwide increasing cost for most everyday items, President Kenyatta chastised a few political pioneers for inciting Kenyans to fault the Government for the worldwide difficulties as opposed to offering solutions.
“Instead of coming out to offer solutions on challenges facing the country, you have made it your responsibility to go out there spewing insults which do not help Kenyans. Insults and empty promises will take you nowhere but hard work and the labour of your hands,” President Kenyatta told politicians.
On the global rising cost of living, the President guaranteed Kenyans that the Government has gone to manageable lengths to resolve the defenceless, including the workers and farmers on the cost of inputs.
Referring to the cost of fuel, for instance, President Kenyatta said the Government has financed costs of petroleum, diesel and kerosine making them the most minimal in the region.
He explained that had the Government not safeguarded buyers against the worldwide expansion in fuel costs, petroleum costs would have been roughly Kshs 173 for every litre.
"But to cushion our people, the Government has had to pay Kshs 29 per litre as a subsidy. We have similarly subsidized diesel and kerosene. Currently, our diesel pump price is Kshs 125.5 a litre; the lowest price of diesel in our region and beyond is secured by the government subsidy of Kshs 40.2 per litre,” he said."
In such manner, President Kenyatta warned that harsh action will be initiated against oil sellers who sell the subsidized fuel outside the country.
He additionally asked the private sector, as key accomplices of the state in the monetary improvement venture, to make re-changes that save the balance between profitability and supporting the wellbeing of their workforce.
The President likewise brought up that the different economic improvement packages carried out by his administration throughout recent years have assisted Kenyan families with coping with the difficulties emerging from contracting valuable opportunities because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He urged labourers to embrace positive energy to keep strengthening the country by building, accepting and being champions of the Kenyan Dream.
President Kenyatta complimented groups like the Jua Kali craftsmen on Ngong Road, Kamukunji and Kariobangi who met up to build an organization worth Kshs 250 million.
He also cited the Government’s Kazi Mtaani initiative which benefited over 500,000 young people as an example of positive energy.
This is indeed great news to Kenyan labourers. The Kenyan Government is rebuilding to structure the country in a way that its citizens can live comfortably without being affected by the cost of living. The minimum wage increase is the continuity of Kenya's sustainable development.