By Dawan Africa - Admin
Kenya, May 1st 2026 - Thousands of Kenyans have gathered at the Chavakali Boys High School grounds in Vihiga ahead of the 2026 Labour Day celebrations.
President William Ruto is set to lead this year’s event, which has drawn workers, trade union leaders, and senior government officials from across the country.
Every May 1st, Labour Day shines a spotlight on the tireless contributions of workers across Kenya,and honors the pivotal role of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) in championing their rights.
10:41 : This is the 61st Labourday celebrations, where President Ruto is expected to lead this first time, Labour day celebration outside Nairobi.
10:50 : President Ruto received by COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Labour CS Alfred Mutua, and other leaders.
11:00 : The event is ongoing with cultural performances, music, and dancing. President Ruto seen enjoying the performances alongside other leaders.
11:40: Dr. Wilber K. Ottichilo the current Governor of Vihiga County in Kenya is leading welcoming the PResident and all leaders in attendance. He welcomed President Ruto and thanked him, saying: "Rais tunasema asante sana, hii ni historia sana kwa sisi watu wa Vihiga; mara ya kwanza Labour Day inafanyika nje ya Nairobi na ikawa ni hapa Vihiga."
(He was highlighting that this is historic , the first time Labour Day is held outside Nairobi, and it's in Vihiga.)
11:49 : He also led the crowd in Labour Day chants. in support of the President and COTU’s Francis Atwoli
11:55 : Francis Atwoli welcomed to speak ,his tenure being noted as the longest serving leader of the labour movement in Kenya.
11:57: Francis Atwoli starts his speech, saluting veteran labour leader Fred Omido welcoming him to salute President Ruto
12:00 :Fred Omido, speaks and explains how they brought Francis Atwoli to labour movement leadership blessing him to continue in his work in workers movement
12:03 : Francis Atwoli Recognizes and welcomes all the leaders that have been able to show up for the event.
12:06 : Atwoli honour President Ruto for coming to the event. He thanks the President for the event being outside Nairobi for the first time and it being held in Vihiga county. He also thanked the County of Vihiga for the preparations of the event.
12:08: Atwoli recounts the events that led to May 1st being declared a day for workers, Labour day. He also thanks Kenyan employers supporting them and their members terms asking them to continue cooperating to spur economic growth of the country.
12:10: Atwoli appreciates Ruto's work in infrastructure expansion across the country, lauding the affordable housing project , SGR and new express highway from Rironi to Malaba in improving the country.
12:12: Atwoli commends the Labour ministry in the recent Cotu elections which went on without any interference. He further spoke on outsourcing of Labour urging for better conditions. He further urged these companies outsourcing labour to pay their taxes.
12:15 : COTU-K boss Francis Atwoli calls for an increase of four seats on the NSSF board, two for workers and two for employers, to help efficiently manage the fund.
12:17: Atwoli mentions SHA's administrative issues and what can be done to improve its performance and how it works in relation to workers needs.
12:19: He also mentions sugar reforms, but mentioned workers wages being reduced in the sector, for the President to sit with management and work out way forward.
12:21: Atwoli mentioned that workers are wary of the political mood in the country , with workers , women and children vulnerable to this political setting, urging for order from the political scene.
12:23: Atwoli lauds President Ruto's Economic changes that he isays is visible around the country.
12:25: Atwoli leads the crowd in calling for two term for the President. ending his speech acknowledging the President has something good for the Workers this year. COTU SG Francis Atwoli urges President Ruto to grant workers at least a 23 per cent minimum wage increase.
12:27: Labour CS Alfred takes the stage welcoming all leaerrs in attendance
12:30 : Labour CS Alfred Mutua has announced major gains in Kenya’s employment sector, citing the creation of millions of jobs across key industries. Alfred Mutua mentioned that 6.2 million jobs have been created by the current efforts of the Government.
12: 32: He mentioned all efforts that are being undertaken to get jobs for Kenyans. Further there have been fewer strikes than in any other time due to the gvts efforts to talk first before going on the streets. He mentioned that he will work on issues at the EPZ to straighten things out.
12:34: Mentioned that at the NSSF people can get their benefits faster than ever before.
12:35: Welcomes Musalia mudavadi to the stage.
12:37 : Musalia Mudavadi welcomes Oparanya to greet the President and people
12:38: Oparanya praises the President for the work he has done for the people, and his work on the economy with a better inflation rate than before pushing for Ruto's two term in the region.
12:40 : Moses Wetangula takes the stage and proceeds to welcome the local leaders of the area who are in attendance
12:42: Wetangula mentions how the whole world is celebrating Labour day to show the importance of work. He thanks the President for bringing to the ground the Labour day celebrations for the people to feel the government cares. He further celebrated Kenyan workers, lauding Francis Atwoli for fighting for Kenyan workers' rights.
12:44 : Musalia Mudavadi takes over thanking COTU and the workers of Kenya for keeping Kenya's flag flying high and their efforts in the country.
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12:47 :Commends Atwoli for keeping the labour force in Kenya stable and focused.
12:48: Musalia mentions efforts that people take to get jobs abroad and shows the desire of the Government for workers to go work abroad in safe environments. He urges the youth and everyone to use the government institutions to go work in safe institutions.
12:50 : Musalia talks about how he showed the future of working with President Ruto. He urged people of the region to follow the same, and in 2027 to vote for William Ruto. He urged people not to have any doubt and for everyone in the region to be sure of two terms for the President. He talked about the margin of the second term election ,for the vote to be a majority win for the President.
12: 53: He mentioned how slow getting voters to be registered but they are working to ensure next time m ore people will be registered.
12:55: President Ruto takes the stage greeting the standing crowd in local greetings.
12:56: President Ruto pays homage to workers across Kenya and lauds their work in making Kenya great.
12:57: Mentions the days as monumental because the celebrations are being held away from Nairobi and being held in Vihiga. Mentions this as a move to recognize workers across the country even in rural communities as a move to recognize workers everywhere.
12:59 :The President mentions how the day never began as a celebration but as a struggle to recognize workers.
13:00 : Ruto recognizes the Governments efforts to improve employment opportunities, laying foundations for job creation and inclusive growth.
13:01: President mentions how GDP growth has held firm above 4.6% , inflation remains within levels of global pressures and the Kenyan shilling had held firm at 129 to the dollar for 2 years showing resilience and a trusted competitive destination.
13:03: Commends COTU for their theme for the year, a clear alignment with the Gvt's goals of using infrastructure to shape the economy.
13:04: Highlights upcoming connectivity with infrastructure improvements in the region.
13:05: Mentioned plans for a modern railways station and a transport logistics hub in Kenya, and Nyamira
13:07: Mentions the infrastructure projects as strategic in the future of the region and the country.
13:10: He said that the projects being undertaken will have a major impact of lives of the citizens of Kenya, with the housing program changing the face of the country.
13:13: The Gvt investment in housing and markets accumulates to billions of shillings with different parts of the country witnessing similar growth through the hard work of Kenyan workers. Salutes the Kenyan workers for working towards building the country.
13:15: The youth mentioned as highly involved in the housing programme with women also involved showing the Government's resolution to inclusion as one of its major resolutions in creating jobs for the Kenyan people.
13:16 : Announced another 300 million shilling market in the area in the works for the area next month.
13:18 : Hired more teachers than any other administration.
13: 19: Through the Nyota programme the Gvt has ensured young entrepreneurs to build through loans, and more opportunities.
13:20: Improvement of oversees employment, opening structured pathways for Kenyan workers to get employment abroad.
13:21: Expanded over 65% of Kenyans under SHA unlike the previous health programme showing a shift in universal heath coverage. commends KNUT and KUPPET for sitting with the ministry of health for ironing out differences.
13:24 : Thanks Atwoli and the partnership with Cotu and his work with workers. Invites COTU and others to apply for affordable housing on BOMA yangu.
13:29 :Formerly certifying artisans who have learned their skills on the job.
13:30 : Government to fight for the right and protections of Kenya's workers to be enforced as per the law.
13:31: Assures workers that SHA problems are being addressed
13:32: By 1st June ratification of laws against violence in the workplace to be done.
13:33: President thanks The people of Vihiga for welcoming them and the celebrations of Labour Day. He says he will be back to start new housing programmes in the area of Hamisi, Luanda and more. The stadium of Kidundu is also underway with payments being made to ensure its progress.
13: 39: President highlighted all the projected around the country showing that the country is working.
13:40 :Assures the country that politics of division is not going to be there anymore. He assures all leaders of the need to work together to make a better country
13:41: The President announces a 12% increase in general wages and a 15% increase in agricultural wages for all Kenyan workers.
13:44: Event ends.