Kenya minimum wage 2026
The legal minimum wage in Kenya, in KES, with its history and the law behind it.
Applies to: general labourer (cleaner, sweeper, gardener, children's ayah, house servant, day watchman, messenger) in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret cities; basic wage excluding housing allowance.
Effective 1 May 2026. Set by Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order, 2026 (Legal Notice 108 of 26 June 2026, replacing Legal Notice 95 of 29 May 2026).
Kenya sets minimum wages by occupation and area; the figure shown is a general labourer in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret, basic pay before the 15% housing allowance.
Minimum wage history, Kenya
Monthly rate in KES. Each step is a change in the legal rate.
Every change we have on record
| Effective | Minimum wage | Legal instrument |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May 2026 | KSh 18,047.40 a month | Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order, 2026 (Legal Notice 108 of 26 June 2026, replacing Legal Notice 95 of 29 May 2026) |
| 1 Nov 2024 | KSh 16,113.75 a month | Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order, 2024 (Legal Notice 164 of 2024); general labourer, Nairobi/Mombasa/Kisumu/Nakuru/Eldoret cities |
| 1 May 2022 | KSh 15,201.65 a month | Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order, 2022 (Legal Notice 125 of 2022); general labourer, Nairobi/Mombasa/Kisumu cities |
| 1 May 2017 | KSh 12,926.55 a month | Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order, 2017 (Legal Notice 112 of 2017); general labourer, Nairobi/Mombasa/Kisumu cities |
Rates by type of work and place
| Category | Place | Minimum wage |
|---|---|---|
| General labourer (incl. cleaner, gardener, house servant, day watchman) | Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret cities | KSh 18,047.40 a month |
| General labourer (incl. cleaner, gardener, house servant, day watchman) | Former municipalities and the town councils of Mavoko, Ruiru and Limuru | KSh 16,650.95 a month |
| General labourer (incl. cleaner, gardener, house servant, day watchman) | All other areas | KSh 9,628.07 a month |
| Miner, stone cutter, turn boy, waiter, cook, logger, line cutter | Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret cities | KSh 19,491.33 a month |
| Night watchman | Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret cities | KSh 20,133.72 a month |
| General labourer, daily rate (inclusive of housing allowance) | Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret cities | KSh 868.44 a day |
| General labourer, hourly rate (inclusive of housing allowance) | Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret cities | KSh 161.34 an hour |
Kenya minimum wage: common questions
What is the minimum wage in Kenya?
The minimum wage in Kenya is KSh 18,047.40 a month, in KES. It applies to: general labourer (cleaner, sweeper, gardener, children's ayah, house servant, day watchman, messenger) in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret cities; basic wage excluding housing allowance. It took effect on 1 May 2026.
Which law sets the minimum wage in Kenya?
Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order, 2026 (Legal Notice 108 of 26 June 2026, replacing Legal Notice 95 of 29 May 2026).
When did the minimum wage last change in Kenya?
It moved from KSh 16,113.75 to KSh 18,047.40 per month on 1 May 2026. Our records of earlier rates start in 1 May 2017.
Does Kenya have different minimum wages for different jobs or places?
Yes. The law sets 7 separate rates by type of work or location, listed in the table on this page. The main figure above is the headline rate for general labourer (cleaner, sweeper, gardener, children's ayah, house servant, day watchman, messenger) in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret cities; basic wage excluding housing allowance.
Source: Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order, 2026 (Legal Notice 108 of 26 June 2026, replacing Legal Notice 95 of 29 May 2026). Retrieved 10 Oct 2026. See our methods.