Uhuru Has Promised Kenyans 18 Percent Pay Rise But Kenyans Are Not Happy

President Uhuru Kenyatta, during the Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park, announced that he has raised the minimum wage by 18 per cent for all workers across the country.It was supposed to be good news to Kenyans, but apparently, not many were happy with the announcement.With the inflation rate currently standing at 11. 5 percent, some Kenyans took to social media to argue that the president is just campaigning since the increase won’t have any effect.Consumer prices surged 11.5 percent in April from 10.3 percent in March, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics said. The inflation rate breached the Central Bank of Kenya’s 7.5 percent ceiling in February.Unemployment is also another factor tormenting the country. The President added that workers earning a minimum salary of Sh13,475 will no longer pay taxes."We know that for two straight years, we have not increased the minimum wage. So, after consultation with key stakeholders, I have directed that the minimum wage be increased by 18 per cent,” he said during the Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park.Coming at a time when the price of a 2kg packet of maize flour is at Sh125, a half-litre packet of milk at Sh65, and a 2kg packet of sugar at Sh380, the President sought to convince ordinary Kenyans that the government is addressing their plight.During his speech, Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli had said workers would not accept anything lower than 22 per cent. Atwoli on April 9 asked the government to ensure that rising standards of living are addressed.He said the President should ensure he addresses the needs of the workers before he asks for their votes.