Labour CS Alfred Mutua has gazetted new minimum wage regulations, increasing the pay for domestic and industrial workers in Kenya’s major towns. Maids, house servants, cleaners, and gardeners in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, and Nakuru will now earn a basic monthly salary of Ksh 16,113, up from Ksh 15,200 set in 2018.
The increment, which translates to a daily rate of Ksh 775 or Ksh 144 per hour, also applies to messengers, children’s ayahs, and day watchmen in these cities. Similarly, night watchmen in the major towns will see their pay rise to Ksh 17,976 monthly or Ksh 862 daily, up from Ksh 16,959.
Other skilled roles in the cities such as bakery workers, machine attendants, and tailors’ assistants will earn a minimum of Ksh 18,263 monthly. Drivers of light vans and cars will take home Ksh 21,748, while receptionists, clerks, and storekeepers are set to earn Ksh 24,818.
The new rates reflect a 6% increment following President William Ruto’s Labour Day directive and are aimed at addressing wage stagnation amidst rising living costs. Employers in municipalities like Mavoko, Ruiru, and Limuru, as well as rural areas, have also been issued revised rates to comply with.
The updated wage structure is expected to benefit thousands of workers in urban centers while ensuring fair compensation for their roles.
