President William Ruto arrived at Chavakali High School in Vihiga County at 10:50 am on May 1, 2026, to lead the Labour Day celebrations. The event, themed around job creation and workers' welfare, drew thousands of attendees, including union leaders and government officials.
In his address, Ruto highlighted his administration's efforts to boost employment through the 'Hustler Fund' and infrastructure projects. He stated that over 500,000 jobs had been created in the past year, though independent verification of this figure was not immediately available.
The President also announced a 10% increase in the minimum wage, effective immediately, and promised to address concerns over casualization of labor. Opposition leaders criticized the move as insufficient, citing rising living costs.
Security was tight at the venue, with police deployed to manage crowds. No incidents were reported during the event.
