Nairobi, April 30 -- President William Ruto is caught between a rock and a hard place as workers seek a 23 percent rise in minimum wage amid resistance from employers.

Ahead of Friday's Labour Day celebrations, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu-K) was lobbying for what would be the largest single-year wage increase since 2017, citing the rising cost of living. Employers, however, argue that elevated operating expenses have eroded their capacity to raise pay.

The President, who approved a six percent minimum wage increase in May 2024, now faces a delicate choice to side with workers, back employers, or strike a middle ground by approving a more modest adjustment that tempers both sides' demands.

The stakes are high for Dr R...