Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has sent a message to Kenyan workers, encouraging them to stay strong in the face of escalating economic and social challenges as Kenya marks the 61st Labour Day.

In a short but powerful post on X on Friday, May 1, 2026, the senator urged Kenyan workers to persevere in recognition of the challenges they are facing.

Sifuna’s message was not just a salute to workers on Labour Day, as he encouraged them to wait until the general elections to oust the current president, William Ruto, in order for their plights to be heard by electing another president into power.

“On this #LabourDay, our message to the Kenyan workers is simple. Hang in there. One more, Zakayo Ashuke,” Sifuna stated.

Sifuna’s comments included the phrase ‘Zakayo ashuke‘, a popular slogan that has become increasingly common among the president’s critics. The word ‘Zakayo‘, which is a character in the Bible who was not in favour of collecting high taxes, is a reference to the increasing discontent over the escalating cost of living and the burdens of new taxes on the Kenyan populace.

The outspoken Nairobi senator and lawyer has lately been a front-runner among a group of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders under the “Linda Mwananchi” movement, who are against the re-election of President William Ruto in the upcoming 2027 General Election. The group has frequently pointed to what it labels as poor economic governance, unfair taxation, rising unemployment and the rising cost of living, which it has attributed to the president, as its reasons for opposing re-election.

Sifuna and Co. have been arguing that the Kenyan people are bearing the brunt of the current economic challenges, with wages stagnant and the cost of basic goods and services rising. They claim this has led to a decline in living standards and a widening income gap, making it harder for families to afford necessities.

Labour Day’s political backlash

Labour Day is typically a day of celebration for workers and a time for reflection on workers’ rights, but this year’s celebrations have also been used as an occasion for political statements ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sifuna’s comments suggest that perseverance is not just about stamina but also political mobilisation.

In calling on workers to hang on “just one more” time, the Nairobi senator seems to be galvanising support for a broader political goal, to galvanise public opinion in the lead-up to the 2027 elections. His appeal speaks to the increasingly politicised nature of labour issues and places workers at the forefront of Kenya’s political landscape.