By Miraj Guo | May 1,2026
President William Ruto on Friday presided over the 61st national Labour Day celebrations at Chavakali High School in Vihiga County, marking the first time in Kenya’s history that the national event has been held outside Nairobi.
The milestone celebration drew thousands of workers, union leaders, government officials and residents, despite heavy morning rain that soaked the venue but failed to dampen the festive atmosphere.
Addressing the crowd, President Ruto defended his administration’s economic policies, saying recent reforms were laying the groundwork for sustainable job creation and long-term prosperity.
“We are here in Vihiga to send a message: every worker, from the tea farms of Western Kenya to the digital hubs in Nairobi, is the backbone of our Bottom-Up transformation,” the President said.
The relocation of Labour Day celebrations to Vihiga was part of a broader government plan to decentralize national events and spread economic opportunities to counties outside the capital.
This year’s celebrations were held under the theme: “Promoting Workers’ Rights, Job Creation, and Economic Empowerment.”
The event also highlighted mounting pressure from labour unions over the rising cost of living.
Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli urged the government to raise the national minimum wage by 23 percent, arguing that workers were struggling with inflation, increased taxation and high household expenses.
Atwoli called for urgent intervention to protect low-income earners and restore workers’ purchasing power.
While President Ruto did not immediately commit to the specific demand, he pointed to recent government hiring initiatives, including the recruitment of more than 50,000 teachers, affordable housing projects and infrastructure investments as proof of his administration’s support for workers.
The President also pledged continued support for small businesses, youth employment programs and technical training aimed at equipping young Kenyans with skills for the modern economy.
He said the government would continue to expand labour opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, digital services and overseas employment markets.
Among senior officials present were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Labour Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua, governors, lawmakers and senior union officials.
The event featured colourful parades by workers’ unions, music performances and a rare public appearance by veteran comedians Mama Kayai and Makokha, whose performance delighted the crowd.
The decision to host the celebrations at Chavakali High School instead of the incomplete Kidundu Stadium sparked local debate.
Residents noted that a historic tree within the school compound had to be felled to create room for the presidential dais and heightened security arrangements.
Even so, many Vihiga residents welcomed the event, citing increased business activity for hotels, transport operators, food vendors and traders.
Political observers described the move as symbolic, signaling a shift toward recognizing workers and communities beyond Nairobi.
For many attendees, the day was both a celebration of labour and a reminder of the economic pressures facing millions of Kenyan workers.
