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The 12%
minimum wage Bombshell
A new labour law lifts the minimum wage for menial and entry-level work from Sh8,596 to Sh37,221 dependent on three geographical tiers. Two months in, workers, home owners, and employers are all doing the same math - and getting different answers.
Dear employer, are you playing by the government's rules?
Effective May 1st this year, the general minimum wage for menial,hourly, and entry-level positions rose by 12% - doubling after a6% increase in late 2024. Employers had 60 days to comply.
Particularly, the 2026 order raised the minimum wage for live-inhouse servants in Kenya’s five cities – Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa,Eldoret and Nakuru – from Sh16,113 to Sh18,047 per month.
In the former Municipalities and Town Councils of Mavoko, Ruiruand Limuru the figure moved from Sh14,866 in 2025 to Sh16,650 permonth. In all other parts of the country, the minimum wage movedfrom Sh8,596 in 2025 to Sh9,268 in 2026.
The workers in that category, as per the document published in theKenya Gazette, include house servants, children’s ayah (nannies),cleaners, sweepers, gardeners, day security guards and messengers.
But the document goes on to list several other minimum wage bands,which begs the question to many of Kenya’s employers – are youbreaking the law by underpaying your workers?
The minimum wage for miners, stone cutters, turnboys, waiters, cooks, loggers and line cutters in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Eldoret and Nakuru has been set at Sh19,491.
In the former Municipalities of Mavoko, Ruiru and Limuru, that band of workers are to be paid a minimum of Sh17,046. In other parts of the country, their minimum wage is Sh11,124.
For night security guards, in the five cities, the minimum wage is Sh20,454. In the former municipalities of Mavoko, Ruiru and Limuru the minimum wage for night security guards is Sh19,034 while in all other parts of the country, the figure is Sh15,427.
| Employee Category | Five Cities (Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Eldoret, Nakuru) | Former Municipalities (Mavoko, Ruiru, Limuru) | Other Parts of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Attendants, Sawmill Sawyers, Machine Assistants, Mass Production Machinists, Shoe Cutters, Bakery Workers, Bakery Assistants, Tailor's Assistants | Sh20,454 | Sh19,034 | Sh15,427 |
| Employee Category | Five Cities (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret) | Former Municipalities (Mavoko, Ruiru, Limuru) | Other Parts of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machinists (Made to Measure), Shoe Upper Preparers, Chaplis Makers, Petrol & Service Station Workers, Bakery Plant Hand, Laundry Operator, Junior Clerk, Wheel Tractor Driver (Light) | Sh23,350 | Sh21,844 | Sh17,859 |
| Printing Machine Operators, Bakery Machine Operators, Plywood Machine Operators, Sawmill Dressers, Shop Assistants, Machine Tool Operators, Dough Makers, Table Hand Bakers or Confectioners, Copy Typists, Drivers (Cars & Light Vans) | Sh24,358 | Sh22,481 | Sh18,582 |
| Employee Category | Five Cities (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret) | Former Municipalities (Mavoko, Ruiru, Limuru) | Other Parts of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern Designer (Draughtsman), Dress Cutter, Single Hand Oven Man, Charge-hand Baker, General Clerk, Telephone Operator, Receptionist, Storekeeper | Sh24,358 | Sh25,412 | Sh21,668 |
| Tailors, Drivers (Medium-sized Vehicles – Vans) | Sh30,634 | Sh28,155 | Sh25,105 |
| Dyers, Crawler Tractor Drivers, Salesmen | Sh33,820 | Sh31,555 | Sh28,479 |
| Employee Category | Five Cities (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret) | Former Municipalities (Mavoko, Ruiru, Limuru) | Other Parts of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashiers, Drivers (Heavy Commercial), Salesman Drivers | Sh40,724 | Sh38,323 | Sh35,923 |
| Artisans (Ungraded) | Sh24,358 | Sh22,481 | Sh18,582 |
| Artisans – Category III | Sh30,634 | Sh28,155 | Sh25,058 |
| Artisans – Category II | Sh33,087 | Sh31,555 | Sh28,479 |
| Artisans – Category I (Highest Rank) | Sh40,724 | Sh38,323 | Sh35,932 |
The Federation of Kenya Employers issued a statement on June 30th, 2026 advising employers to review and implement the necessary adjustments to ensure full compliance with the revised statutory minimum wage requirements effective 1st May 2026.