Kenya Minimum Wage 2026: Full Rates, Gazette Numbers and Employer Duties
Kenya's statutory minimum wages rose by roughly 12% effective 01-05-2026, formalised by two Gazette orders: the Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order, 2026 and the Regulation of Wages (Agricultural Industry) (Amendment) Order, 2026 (Legal Notices No. 108 and 109, Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 160, dated 26-06-2026). If you employ anyone, this guide gives you the actual rates and what you must do now — including arrears from 01-05-2026.
1. The New Rates (General Order)
Rates are set by occupation and by three geographical zones: the five cities, former municipalities (plus Mavoko, Ruiru and Limuru), and all other areas. Monthly figures below are basic minimum wages, exclusive of housing allowance:
| Occupation | Cities* | Former municipalities | Other areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| General labourer (incl. cleaner, sweeper, gardener, ayah, house servant, day watchman, messenger) | KES 18,047.40 | KES 16,650.95 | KES 9,628.07 |
| Night watchman | KES 20,133.72 | KES 18,665.88 | KES 11,483.43 |
| Telephone operator, receptionist, storekeeper | KES 27,796.51 | KES 25,412.61 | KES 21,668.18 |
| Tailor, driver (medium vehicle) | KES 30,634.69 | KES 28,155.87 | KES 25,105.72 |
| Cashier, driver (heavy commercial vehicle) | KES 40,724.23 | KES 38,323.71 | KES 35,932.75 |
| Artisan Grade I | KES 40,724.23 | KES 38,323.71 | KES 35,932.86 |
* Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret cities. Former municipalities and the town councils of Mavoko, Ruiru and Limuru form the second zone. The General Order also prescribes daily and hourly rates (e.g., general labourer daily: KES 868.44 / 797.80 / 487.94); those rates include housing allowance.
2. Agricultural Sector (Agricultural Industry Order)
Consolidated monthly minimum wages for agriculture:
| Occupation | Per month |
|---|---|
| Unskilled employee | KES 9,196.93 |
| House servant or cook | KES 10,498.82 |
| Tractor driver | KES 11,656.75 |
| Lorry or car driver | KES 13,476.47 |
| Stockman, herdsman, watchman | KES 10,621.15 |
| Farm foreman / farm clerk | KES 16,591.20 |
| Farm artisan | KES 10,992.45 |
3. Housing Allowance
Under the General Order, monthly basic minimum wages exclude housing allowance, while its daily and hourly rates include it. The separate Agricultural Industry Order lists consolidated monthly wages; do not treat those figures as General Order monthly basic rates. See our NSSF guide and SHIF guide for related deductions.
4. Employer Compliance Checklist
- Review every employee's salary against the applicable rate (occupation + area)
- Identify anyone below the minimum and adjust immediately
- Compute wage arrears back to 01-05-2026 and process them
- Check knock-on effects: overtime rates, leave pay, public-holiday pay, service pay, pension contributions (NSSF) and other salary-linked benefits
- Keep records of compliance for labour inspections and audits
5. What Happens If You Don't Comply
- Labour disputes and underpayment claims by employees
- Statutory penalties and enforcement action by the labour authorities
- Damages claims for arrears going back to the effective date
6. Where to Verify the Official Rates
The full Schedules are in the Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 160 (Legal Notices No. 108 and 109), published 26-06-2026 under the Labour Institutions Act. Cross-check with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection before making payroll decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new minimum wage in Kenya for 2026?
The Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order, 2026 sets the basic minimum wage for a general labourer in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret cities at KES 18,047.40 per month (exclusive of housing allowance), with lower rates for former municipalities and other areas. Different occupations have their own rates.
When did the Kenya 2026 minimum wage increase take effect?
The new Wage Orders are deemed to have come into operation on 01-05-2026, though they were gazetted on 26-06-2026 (Legal Notices No. 108 and 109). Employers must pay arrears to eligible employees from the effective date.
Does the minimum wage include housing allowance in Kenya?
It depends on the rate type: monthly basic rates under the General Order exclude housing allowance; its daily and hourly rates include it. Monthly rates under the separate Agricultural Industry Order are consolidated. Statutory deductions and other benefits are handled separately as required by law.
Which areas does the Kenya minimum wage apply to?
The Wage Order divides Kenya into three zones: the five cities (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret); former municipalities plus the town councils of Mavoko, Ruiru and Limuru; and all other areas. Rates differ by zone and occupation, with a separate Agricultural Industry Order for farm workers.
Sources and update record
Updated 26 October 2026: Clarified which monthly, daily and hourly wage rates include housing allowance.
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