Ruto Vows Pay Boost for Millions of Informal Workers After Civil Servants’ Salary Rise
President William Ruto has pledged to introduce measures aimed at increasing the earnings of millions of Kenyans working in the informal sector, declaring that government support will not be reserved for employees who receive monthly payslips.
The President made the announcement on Thursday, July 23, while hosting more than 5,000 artisans from Nairobi County at State House, where he unveiled a series of initiatives targeting self-employed workers, traders, craftsmen and small business owners.
His remarks come days after the government confirmed salary increments for civil servants, with the revised pay set to take effect from August 1. Ruto said the administration was now working on a similar intervention to ensure Kenyans earning a living outside formal employment also benefit from the government’s economic policies.
“I have already directed that government workers, those who receive payslips, get a pay increase from August 1. Just as we are taking care of other workers, I must also make arrangements for you because Kenya is not only for those who receive payslips; it is for everyone,” the President said.
‘You Are Business Owners’
Addressing the artisans, Ruto acknowledged that many informal workers lack the employment documentation associated with formal jobs but insisted they remain critical contributors to Kenya’s economy.
He described artisans and self-employed workers as entrepreneurs whose businesses deserve the same recognition and government support as larger enterprises.
“I understand that you do not have payslips, but you are business owners, you are artisans, you are Kenyans,” he told the gathering.
Kenya’s informal sector accounts for the majority of employment opportunities in the country, with millions relying on small-scale businesses, casual labour, manufacturing, transport and trade as their primary sources of income amid persistent economic pressures.
Workspaces and Business Support
Beyond promising measures to improve earnings, Ruto announced plans to expand support for artisans by providing designated workspaces and organised markets where they can produce and sell their goods.
The President said the initiative is intended to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises while improving the working environment for informal traders across the country.
He also pledged that the government would continue investing in programmes designed to help artisans grow sustainable businesses capable of creating more jobs.
Certification for Skilled Workers
Ruto further announced that the government would accelerate the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, an initiative that formally recognises skills acquired outside traditional education and training institutions.
Under the programme, the government will finance the registration of eligible artisans, enabling them to receive nationally recognised qualifications despite lacking conventional academic certificates.
According to the President, approximately 40,000 artisans have already been certified, with more expected to benefit in the coming months.
He said formal certification would enable skilled workers to compete for better employment opportunities, secure government tenders and expand their businesses through access to previously unavailable markets.
The announcement forms part of the government’s broader effort to integrate informal workers into Kenya’s formal economy while extending economic opportunities beyond salaried employees.
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