Kenyan domestic workers will receive increased pay as new minimum wage regulations come into effect from the Ministry of Labour.
Cabinet Secretary for Labour Alfred Mutua revealed the adjusted wage levels via a legal notice, elevating the minimum monthly compensation for domestic workers in major urban centers by 12 percent, aligning with President William Ruto’s announcement during this year’s Labour Day observances.
According to the new guidelines, domestic personnel serving in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret will now receive a minimum monthly remuneration of Ksh18,047, an increase from Ksh16,113 in 2024.
The updated pay scales extend to other worker categories such as gardeners, house helps, security guards, couriers, and cleaners, effective immediately.
Domestic workers in former municipal areas and other substantial urban centers will now qualify for a minimum monthly wage of Ksh16,650.
Conversely, individuals employed in smaller towns and rural regions will receive a minimum monthly salary of Ksh9,268 under the revised wage directive.
The ministry cautioned that non-compliant employers face potential legal consequences, including penalties of up to Ksh50,000 in fines, imprisonment of up to three months, or both.
President Ruto announced a nationwide general wage increase during Labour Day festivities held in Vihiga County on May 1, 2026.
During the gathering, the President stated that his government had approved the salary adjustments following consultations and petitions from workers represented by the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU).
“I am happy to declare a 12 percent rise in general wages and a 15 percent increase in agricultural wages for all Kenyan employees,” Ruto declared.
The national leader emphasized that the wage increase aimed to protect workers from escalating living expenses while enhancing their general well-being.
In addition to the salary adjustments, President Ruto instructed the Ministry of Labour to activate various wage councils created under the Labour Relations Act of 2007.