Gachagua expresses plight of Kenyan workers during his Labour Day message
By Mabonga Makhanu, May 1, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has used his Labour Day message to highlight what he described as the difficult conditions facing Kenyan workers, focusing on issues such as low pay, heavy taxation, and rising economic pressure.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms on Friday, May 1, 2026, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader said that while Labour Day is meant to celebrate workers globally, the situation in Kenya paints a different picture.
He argued that many workers in the country are struggling with reduced purchasing power, the high cost of living, and what he termed a lack of dignity in the workplace.
“During International Labour Days, workers of the world gather in recognition, struggle and solidarity. What about the workers of Kenya?”
“Today, workers in Kenya gather in pain and disrespect; they stand at the intersection of a mutilated payslip and a dwindling economy. They are overworked, overtaxed and underpaid besides being disrespected.”
Plight of Kenyan civil servants
Gachagua said Kenyan employees are currently under strain due to economic hardship, noting that many are overworked, underpaid, and heavily taxed, which he claimed has made life increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens.
He further stated that instead of celebration, many workers are facing frustration and hardship, adding that the current economic environment has eroded the value of their earnings.
The former DP also linked the plight of workers to broader political change, suggesting that the future of Kenyan workers would be shaped by the political direction the country takes ahead of the 2027 general election. He maintained that efforts to address workers’ challenges are ongoing and positioned them as part of a wider struggle for improved livelihoods and dignity.
DAP-K’s Labour Day message
On the other side, the Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) of Kenya also weighed in on Labour Day discussions through its social media platforms, taking a critical stance on the current treatment of workers in the country.
The party accused the government of subjecting Kenyan workers to high taxation and what it termed as unfair deductions, arguing that the burden has largely benefited others while ordinary workers continue to struggle with low take-home pay and rising living costs.
For the last 4 years, Kenyan workers have been subjected to over-taxation and unlawful deductions aimed at enriching Kaongo while they suffer. As we mark this Labour Day, we remind workers that we shall dignify and value their work and pay slips in 2027.