Labour Day celebrations in Nairobi took on a sharper tone this year as Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli used the national stage to demand a more equitable taxation system that protects workers’ earnings. Addressing thousands gathered at Uhuru Gardens, Atwoli challenged the government to rethink how it structures payroll deductions, arguing that Kenya’s workforce is being punished for their productivity.
The veteran trade unionist urged policymakers to focus statutory deductions on basic salaries only, excluding overtime pay, bonuses, and other additional income that employees often rely on to make ends meet. According to Atwoli, taxing the full gross income including hard-earned extras undermines worker morale and discourages additional effort.
His remarks come at a time of heightened public frustration over what many perceive as a mounting cost of employment, following the rollout of new deductions such as the Housing Levy and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which have significantly reduced take-home pay for many.
Beyond fiscal concerns, Atwoli also touched on the role of media and digital platforms, voicing concern over what he described as growing misuse of online spaces. He called for stronger regulatory measures to protect national values and promote responsible discourse, urging Kenyans to use media platforms in a manner that supports unity and accountability.
This year’s Labour Day was less about ceremony and more about pushing for tangible change, with COTU’s leadership clearly signaling that workers’ rights must extend beyond the workplace and into national fiscal and media policy.
