Atwoli Explains 12% General Pay Hike and 15% Minimum Wage Adjustment

The Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K), Francis Atwoli, clarifies the 12% wage increase, stating it is a general, not minimum wage.

He clarified the Presidential 12% wage increment is general rather than minimum wage, clearing the confusion surrounding the directive.

“To clear what I saw in the press yesterday. The 12th wage increase, it was not a minimum wage increase. It was a general wage increase,” Atwoli said on his X channel.

“The President clarified it when we were having lunch. He told the minister for labor that this is not minimum wage. I’ve given Kenyans a general wage increase,” Atwoli said.

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Wage Increase and Economic Rebound

He stated that agricultural workers received a 15 per cent minimum wage rise and the 15% was a minimum wage for the agricultural workers and that their minimum salary was raised by 15%.

Atwoli clarified that the 12 percent increase affects all employees, including agricultural workers.

He stated that Kenyans, including those already receiving a 15% raise, are entitled to a general wage increase of 15%.

He countered claims from the Federation of Kenya Employers, stating, “I saw even FK coming up, Oh, minimum wage. This is not minimum wage. Let Jacqueline Mugo of FKE be told that this is general wage,” he said.

He related the hike to the Kenyan economy’s rebound, stating Kenya had a long time of non-performing economy and that it is doing very well.

That’s why economists advise 12% general weight increase will move Kenyans a little bit to a higher level than where they are currently.

“This is money that we will have to help Kenyans more than anything else,” he said.

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Presidential Appreciation and Historical Wage Awards

Atwoli thanked the President and his team and mentioned past precedents, including previous general wage awards from the former Presidents Kenyatta and Moi.

Atwoli argues that companies can afford the wage increase owing to rising profitability.

He said that if the government does not mandate companies to increase wages, people will remain in the same positions for 15 years without any pay raise.

He also noted that the 12 per cent rise is higher than previous increments, stating we had 6% 2024 and nobody complained.

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