NAIROBI KENYA — Kenyan workers observed the third Labour Day under the Kenya Kwanza administration with little cause for celebration, as persistent economic challenges cast a shadow over the national holiday.
This year’s Labour Day arrived against a backdrop of escalating unemployment rates and diminished incomes, exacerbated by numerous deductions from workers’ payslips.
Additionally, corporate restructuring efforts aimed at maintaining operational viability have further contributed to the financial strain experienced by many.
In contrast to the 2024 Labour Day commemorations, no wage increase was announced for lower-income earners, as the government continues to grapple with the full implementation of the 6 percent wage increment pledged the previous year.
This promise remains partially fulfilled, and despite persistent calls from workers for a shift in statutory deductions from gross to basic pay, the government remained silent on the issue.
“Hizi vitu tunakatwa—housing nini—it should not be on gross, it should be on basic, so that gross umefanya overtime umefanya nini is not interfered with. All deductions should be on basic,” noted Francis Atwoli, Secretary-General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU).
President Ruto, in his address, stated, “To improve workers’ take-home pay, employers will now be required to apply eligible tax deductions when calculating Pay As You Earn—a significant shift from the current system where such relief can only be done through the Kenya Revenue Authority.”
Adding to the discontent, the government offered no clarification regarding the controversy-laden “Kazi Majuu” program, spearheaded by the Ministry of Labour.
Kenyans have reported losing substantial sums of money in their attempts to secure overseas employment through this initiative. Instead of addressing these concerns, the ministry appeared to deflect accountability by seeking scapegoats.
“We anticipate that we are going to create over 500,000 jobs overseas. We continue to put in measures to ensure safe and orderly migration of labour and mobility. We have started dismantling cartels who had controlled this space for years, and we will continue to do so despite their theatrics,” asserted Labour Cabinet Secretary Florence Mutua.
“Over 200,000 have secured jobs abroad…” added President Ruto.
As the Labour Day celebrations concluded, Kenyan workers are once again faced with the task of managing their strained incomes to cover their living expenses.
