President William Ruto on Friday joined the country in Labour Day celebrations, where he outlined what he had done for Kenyan workers as he endeared himself to them.
Dr Ruto asked the country to back his plan, saying the impact of the development programmes and projects he has initiated were already yielding results, while the long-term benefits will be realised in the future.
To him, all the projects he has initiated since he was elected President have a huge bearing on workers, whom he praised for helping to stabilise the country’s economy.
From increasing general wages for workers, President Ruto said his administration was doing all it could to improve their welfare.
His initiatives include targeted support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Affordable Housing Programme, the expansion of the digital economy, and strategic investments in agriculture and value addition.
President Ruto announces a 12pc increase in general wages
Despite a push by the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) for a 23 per cent increase in the minimum wage, the President announced a 12 per cent increase in general wages and a 15 per cent increase in agricultural wages for Kenyan workers.
"In recognition of the sacrifice, resilience, and immense contribution of our workers to the growth and stability of our economy, I am pleased to announce a 12 per cent increase in general wages and a 15 per cent increase in agricultural wages," he said.
Other interventions aimed at improving workers’ welfare include facilitated overseas employment and sustained infrastructure development, which he said are systematically laying the foundation for inclusive growth.
The President said that creating meaningful employment opportunities for young people has been a priority for his administration.
Dr Ruto said each year, no fewer than 800,000 Kenyans enter the labour market, while the formal sector is able to absorb only about 100,000.
“In all that we do, in every policy we advance and every programme we implement, one objective remains constant: to unlock opportunity, to empower our people, and to ensure that every Kenyan has a fair chance to work, earn, and fulfil their potential,” said President Ruto.
He was speaking at the 61st Labour Day celebrations at Chavakali High School in Vihiga County, the first such event held outside Nairobi.
The President also said the government has expanded health insurance coverage from fewer than 8 million Kenyans just three years ago to nearly 30.8 million under the Social Health Authority, bringing close to 65 per cent of the population into the safety of care compared to just 16 per cent under the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund.
President William Ruto with Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli during Labour Day celebrations at Chavakali High School in Vihiga County on May 1, 2026.
Photo credit: PCS
However, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli raised concerns about the Social Health Authority (SHA) and issues affecting workers, as well as the President’s promise on affordable housing units and the reduction of deposits required to purchase a house.
The President said the government is continuing to fine-tune SHA to better serve Kenyans. As a result, he announced the withdrawal of restrictive tariff mechanisms that had caused unintended challenges, including temporary outpatient caps initially introduced to safeguard the fund’s sustainability.
He said ongoing negotiations will culminate in updated agreements that guarantee a seamless, zero co-payment, “walk-in, walk-out” experience for all public officers.
The President also said the commitment he made to COTU at State House last year had been delivered, and that the deposit required for allocation of an affordable housing unit now stands at 5 per cent, down from 10 per cent.
“This applies to every salaried Kenyan, and the reduction has already been codified in our allocation framework. This deposit has been included in the Affordable Housing Regulations, which were passed in 2025 and have since been applied,” said Dr Ruto.
He added that every salaried worker is, by law, eligible for an affordable housing unit but can only own one, urging COTU and affiliate unions to actively mobilise their members to register on Boma Yangu and apply for the various housing categories.
On recognition of construction work as a skilled profession, the President noted that the framework Mr Atwoli is calling for is already in place and is delivering results.
“The National Industrial Training Authority certifies trade qualifications across the construction sector. The National Construction Authority accredits and registers contractors and skilled workers. Through our Recognition of Prior Learning programme, which we are running directly under the Affordable Housing Programme, we are formally certifying artisans whose skills were learned on the job,” said Dr Ruto.
President Ruto leads 61st Labour day celebrations in Vihiga
He noted that more than 2,000 artisans have been certified through the programme, including 180 women.
Dr Ruto defended his capital projects, such as the Standard Gauge Railway and the Rironi–Mau Summit Road, saying they are unlocking employment for contractors, suppliers, and communities while opening doors for trade, tourism, and investment. He said at least 10,000 new jobs will be created through the project alone.
“These projects will generate jobs, stimulate enterprise, and attract investment along the corridor, ranging from logistics and manufacturing to trade and services,” he said.
He claimed that the Affordable Housing Programme has already created more than 640,000 jobs and is firmly on course to reach the government’s target of one million jobs.
On education, the President said the government has recruited over 120,000 teachers, built 23,000 classrooms, and delivered 1,600 new laboratories, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
Through targeted initiatives such as NYOTA, Dr Ruto said more than 121,800 young entrepreneurs have been integrated into a structured business pipeline, equipping them not just to seek employment but to create it.
He also mentioned that around 800,000 Kenyans who were previously excluded from the traditional financial system have now improved their credit profiles and can obtain microloans of up to KSh150,000 through the Bridge facility under the Hustler Fund. This provides them with access to opportunities, enterprise and financial inclusion.
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Dr Ruto also outlined his plans for workers in the diaspora, saying his administration has opened structured, safe, and dignified pathways for Kenyan workers to access opportunities abroad, with over 580,000 Kenyans already securing employment outside the country.
The President emphasised that his administration will continue defending the rights of workers to fair labour practices as enshrined in the Constitution.
He pointed out that Kenya will soon complete the ratification of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers and ILO Convention No. 190 on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.
He urged Kenyans not to be distracted by noise or swayed by headlines, stressing that his work is evident.
“They can see what is happening because they live here, as we all do. But they cannot bring themselves to acknowledge the change, the progress, and the transformation,” said Dr Ruto.
The event quickly turned into a political rally when Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Wycliffe Oparanya, and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula urged the Luhya community to back President Ruto for a second term in 2027.
