By Sarah Omondi
President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced an increase of minimum wage with 12 percent effective today (May 1, 2022).
He said while his adminstration had not done a review of minimum wage due to economic challenges during the Covid-19 era, the government retained its workforce and no one was sacked due to lack of money.
While leading the country in marking World Labour Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium, the President attributed the high cost of living to Covid-19 and conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
He said his government had introduced several sustainable measures to cushion Kenyans against the harsh economic effects that have seen price of essential commodities shoot with over 30 percent in a year.
While warning oil marketers hoarding fuel to sell in other countries of punitive action, Mr Kenyatta said Kenya was among the few countries in Africa that had cushioned its population against the rising price of fuel through subsidies.
“The cost of living has gone up due to global reasons beyond our control but our local solutions must be appreciated. Had we not provided the subsidy, the current price of petrol, diesel and kerosene would have gone up by 25 percent,” he said.
The State offered a subsidy of Sh29 per litre and Sh40.2 per litre for petrol and diesel respectively.
Mr Kenyatta said several economic stimulus programs rolled out in the last three years had helped cushion Kenyans but not restore because “we can only do that which our nation can afford”.
To cushion thousands of Kenyans who lost jobs in informal sector at the height of Covid-19, the President said, resources were mobilized and Kazi Mtaani programme rolled out benefiting over 500, 000 youths.
The programme also provided jobs to 1266 groups that were not organized by the government and organically formed with 1025 groups benefiting from commercial loans and affirmative action funds.
“A total of 2113 youths under the program have established several businesses in retail, agribusiness, salon and barber shops that never existed before Covid-19 creating jobs to many,” he noted.
He said necessary measures were also put in place to reduce Pay as You Earn for workers and Value Added Tax for essential products to ensure the pandemic did not impact too negatively on Kenyans.
The President hit at his Deputy William Ruto for blaming him over the economic challenges bedeviling the country instead of offering solutions to better the situation.
He said instead of advising him on how to better run the government, Dr Ruto was busy going to market places to incite Kenyans.
“Covid-19 was not brought by Kenyans or Uhuru. When prices of commodities go up and you tell Kenyans to ask Uhuru, I am in Ukraine and was I in China when the pandemic struck?” seemingly irritated President posed.
He wondered why the Kenya Kwanza Presidential candidate could not resign and let him choose a deputy who will assist him better serve Kenyans saying he was no longer useful to his government.
“Instead of helping and advising me, you are busy shifting blames and calling you yourself a leader. You should have left to allow me pick someone who can help me deliver. We must tell each other the truth. Where were you when I needed your support?” he directed to DP Ruto.
The President said while he had differences with ODM Leader Raila Odinga, he came to his aid after discovering that Kenya was bigger than both of them.
“I thank Mzee (Raila) because though he had his problems, he came to assist me”.
He hailed Central Organisation Trade Unions (COTU) for working together with the government to promote interests of workers who he said were the backbone of the economy.
Mr Kenyatta also recognized Kenyan workers in diaspora saying while his government took office in 2013, workers in diaspora were remitting about Sh117 billion in Kenyan economy annually but were currently remitting Sh375 billion per year.
“Their colossal contribution has not been created by super heroes but ordinary Kenyans,” he said.
The World Bank, he said, has projected that Kenya will have most productive workforce by 2033 if the country continues with the current trajectory.
While stressing on the need for Kenyans to be hardworking and focus on their capabilities and not empty rhetoric by politicians, the President hailed a Juakali artisan group that had in about two years grown its worth to Sh250 million.
The artisans from Kariobangi and Kamukunji were among those contracted by the government to make doors for house built under the affordable housing program and who before completing the task formed their own company and bought 55 of the houses.
“They believed in their own capabilities and not empty political promises. Every Kenyan can do the same if they focus on their capability,” he told Kenyans at the event.
He said Kenya was work in progress and that nation building is not and can never be an event but a process that requires patience, persistence, sacrifice and new positive energy.
Among leaders at the event were COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli and ODM counterpart Edwin Sifuna, Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu and Woman Rep Esther Passaris.
Responding to Mr Atwoli’s request to have Kenyans know how National Social Security Fund (NSSF) money is used, the President ordered Labour CS Simon Chelugui to gazette COTU nominees to NSSF by Wednesday.
“I order that done by Wednesday. That is not a request,” he said amid cheers from the members of the public.
The President revisited Building Bridges Initiative debate saying Kenyans will during August 9 polls decide whether it should be resuscitated or not.
“We have a good constitution but some clauses should be amended. I have no issues with courts for bringing BBI down”.
