President Uhuru Kenyatta announced 5 percent minimum wage increase during this year's labour day celebration.
In a statement read on his behalf by the Labour Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ukur Yattani, the Head of State indicated that the directive should be implemented immediately.
The directive comes shortly after the employers led by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) warned against a possible raising of the minimum wage by the government.
[caption caption="Labour CS Ukur Yattani with Raila and Atwoli"]
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However, Uhuru's directive has not gone down well with a section of Kenyans who expressed their disappointment terming the increase as meagre given the economic situation in the country.
5%??? Seriously! The lowest wage increase ever since Independence.
— Thomas (@thomskan82) May 1, 2018
The 5% is not even enough to buy breakfast for two days,it will only bring up tax to government frm workers,is equal to tax burden to worker's.
— SAMUEL @GOVERNOR (@Samuelwwamalwa) May 1, 2018
My friend imgn 5% of now minimum wage is 743
what is 700 shillings? insults— Cedrick M Inganji (@CedrickInganji) May 1, 2018
Last time Uhuru announced 12% that was never implemented. Sad.
— Iveta Lemo (@IvetaLemo) May 1, 2018
Kidogo sana
— Stephen Kiprop (@StephenKiprop7) May 1, 2018
In 2017, Uhuru had announced 18 percent increase in the minimum wage that rates at Ksh7,400 for house servants - who are considered to be among the lowly paid workers.
According to KAM chief executive Phyllis Wakiaga, the move will hurt an economy that is just beginning to recover from last year’s battering.
Some of the cited economic setbacks in 2017 include the prolonged electioneering period, high inflation rates, and drought.
"A ceremonial wage increase will not help us to tackle the subject of poverty eradication in a sustainable way," Wakiaga had cautioned.
Speaking during the Labour Day Celebrations, NASA leader Raila Odinga opined that frequent calls for wage and salary increase would not solve the plight of Kenyan workers.
Instead, Raila indicated that the government should make effort to contain the rapidly rising cost of living to save the people from constrained personal budgets despite salary increment.
Others, however, welcomed the move terming it as a timely intervention.
Nice one to the poor workers out here if the directive will be heeded
— Ndiema Kibet Nick (@ndiema_kibetKE) May 1, 2018
The govt of the day has done a good job by cushioning workers with a 5% increase against a 4% inflation. This is a very safe move, if you look at it on an inflation point of view.
— livasia Ernest (@Anesto254) May 1, 2018
