By Jabali Media
President William Ruto has given a new directive to the Ministry of Labour and other agencies, pertaining to workers joining unions.
Addressing the nation during the 60th Labour Day at Uhuru Gardens on Thursday, President Ruto said every worker, both in the public and private sector has the right to join a union.
“Distinguished workers, ladies and gentlemen, the right to join a union for protection of the values of fair pay, safe working conditions, and the right to unionise is a constitutional guarantee,” he stated.
“I have directed the Ministry of Labour and all relevant agencies to ensure that even employees under outsourced contracts can freely join trade unions and benefit from collective bargaining frameworks,” added Ruto.
Leading the country in his 3rd Labour Day celebrations since being elected in 2022, Ruto’s speech was unusually short – 7 pages, with the bulk of it focusing on what his Kenya Kwanza administration has done for Kenyans since coming into office, ranging from the affordable housing project to employing over 70,000 teachers.
Speaking on the 2025 Finance Bill, the Head of State said it was carefully crafted to stimulate economic growth.
“It is in this spirit that this week, the Cabinet approved the 2025 Finance Bill, a key instrument in our ongoing national economic transformation quest. This Bill has been carefully crafted to stimulate economic growth, deliver efficiency, enhance competitiveness, and expand opportunity.”
Its provisions, he said, are designed to offer targeted relief to both businesses and workers, and to support the spirit of enterprise and productivity.
In order to improve workers’ take-home pay, Ruto said employers will now be required to apply eligible tax reliefs and exemptions directly when calculating Pay as You Earn (PAYE), terming it a significant shift from the current system where such reliefs can only be claimed from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
This, he said, will increase efficiency and immediately benefit employees.
Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, hinted at leaving office in the coming days, after being at the helm of the workers union for over 20 years.
“I have led the labour movement in this country for 24 years. Recently, in Nyanza, I mentioned that you (Ruto) would be my last president. I am contemplating exiting the service, having served all the presidents of Kenya,” said Atwoli.
He however indicated that he is considering seeking another term, after members of the COTU board recently endorsed his candidature.