Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued a strong Labour Day message to Kenyan workers, expressing solidarity with employees struggling under tough economic conditions, heavy taxation, and what he described as growing disrespect for the workforce.

In his statement, Gachagua said many workers across the country are facing painful realities, including reduced salaries, rising living costs, and increasing pressure at workplaces.

According to him, Kenyan workers are standing at the difficult intersection of what he called a “mutilated payslip” and a shrinking economy.

“Overworked, Overtaxed and Underpaid”

Gachagua painted a grim picture of the current state of workers in Kenya, saying many employees feel overworked, overtaxed, underpaid, and unappreciated.

He argued that despite their daily efforts to keep the economy moving, many workers continue to struggle to meet basic needs because of heavy deductions and the rising cost of living.

For many families, salaries no longer stretch far enough to cover rent, food, transport, school fees, and medical expenses.

This has created frustration among workers who feel their efforts are not being matched with dignity or fair reward.

Labour Day Message of Solidarity

In his message, Gachagua directly addressed Kenyan workers, saying he stands with them in struggle, recognition, and solidarity.

He emphasized that workers deserve respect, fair pay, and policies that protect their economic dignity rather than weaken it.

Labour Day, which is celebrated every year on May 1, is traditionally a moment to reflect on the contribution of workers and the challenges they face.

For Gachagua, this year’s message focused heavily on economic justice and restoring hope to ordinary employees.

“We Started a Journey to Liberate Your Payslip”

The former Deputy President also referred to what he described as a journey that had already begun to “liberate” workers’ payslips.

This appears to be a political message aimed at addressing concerns over taxation, salary deductions, and the general financial pressure facing employed Kenyans.

He suggested that the struggle is far from over and framed it as part of a larger national mission to restore dignity to workers.

His remarks are likely to resonate with many Kenyans who have repeatedly raised concerns about high taxes and shrinking disposable income.

Focus Turns to 2027 Politics

Gachagua ended his statement with a clear political message, saying the future of Kenyan workers will be judged on August 10, 2027, the expected date of the next General Election.

This signals that labour issues, taxation, and household economic pressures could become central campaign themes as political alignments continue to take shape ahead of 2027.

By linking workers’ struggles to the upcoming election, he positioned economic hardship as not just a social issue, but also a political choice.

Workers’ Welfare Remains a National Debate

As Kenyans marked Labour Day across the country, the conversation around salaries, taxes, and the cost of living remained at the center of national debate.

Many workers continue to demand better wages, stronger labour protections, and policies that improve their daily lives.

Gachagua’s message adds to the growing political pressure around worker welfare and the broader state of the economy.

Whether his message translates into wider political support remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Labour Day 2026 has once again highlighted the growing frustration among Kenya’s working class.