"BROKEN PROMISES, EMPTY POCKETS " LABOUR DAY ENDS WITHOUT PAY RISE FOR KENYAN WORKERS

Kenyan workers marked Labour Day 2025 with disappointment and growing frustration as the government failed to deliver on its promise of a 6% wage increase, first announced during last year’s celebrations.

This year’s event, the third under President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration, offered no relief for millions grappling with economic hardship, job losses, and ballooning salary deductions.

Wage Pledge Still in Limbo

Unlike 2024, when the government pledged a salary increment for the lowest-paid workers, no new wage adjustments were announced this year. The previous promise remains partially implemented, with many still waiting to see any real impact on their pay slips.

Workers and unions alike voiced concern over mounting statutory deductions, particularly calls to shift calculations from gross to basic salary to protect overtime and allowances.

“All these deductions—housing and so on—should be based on basic pay, not gross,” said COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli. “That way, any extra hours or overtime workers earn isn’t swallowed by taxes.”

Ruto’s Response: A New Tax Calculation Plan

President Ruto tried to offer some relief, revealing a planned change in how Pay As You Earn (PAYE) is calculated.

“To improve workers’ take-home pay, employers will now be required to apply eligible tax deductions directly when calculating PAYE—a significant shift from the current KRA-controlled system,” he said.

But the announcement fell short of expectations for many, especially as the government dodged questions surrounding the scandal-hit Kazi Majuu program, which aimed to export Kenyan labour to foreign markets.

Kazi Majuu Scandal: No Answers, Just Promises

Thousands of Kenyans have reportedly lost millions of shillings trying to secure overseas jobs through the Ministry of Labour’s controversial initiative. But instead of offering clarity or compensation, the ministry deflected.

“We’re working to dismantle cartels that have hijacked this space for years,” said Labour CS Alfred Mutua. “We plan to create 500,000 jobs abroad.”

President Ruto echoed the sentiment, stating that over 200,000 Kenyans have already secured employment opportunities overseas—a figure many view with skepticism.

Back to Reality

As Labour Day festivities end, workers return to the daily struggle of making ends meet—without the promised wage boost, and with more questions than answers from a government that seems increasingly out of touch with their plight.