Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has downplayed the successes highlighted by President William Ruto during the Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens.
In a statement on Thursday, May 1, 2025, Gachagua noted that workers were in anguish due to Ruto’s policies, which have raided workers’ pay payslips, stating that most people are frustrated and in pain.
“As we mark the 60th Labour Day celebration, the story of the Kenyan worker is the same: unspeakable pain, anguish, and utter frustration. We know no Kenyan worker is happy, and to wish them such is only additional pain,” Gachagua stated.
High cost of living
“The payslip has been raided for uncouth causes, the cost of living skyrockets unbearably, and there is zero money in circulation as the powers that be trot the globe using public resources, while at home, taxpayers’ money is used to bribe leaders and the public to attend public gatherings.”
Gachagua urged the Kenyan workers to be patient, assuring them that the current opposition politicians were working on a mechanism that would reverse the raid on payslips done by Ruto’s administration and bring back dignity to workers.
“My message to the Kenyan workers as we mark Labour Day is that as they struggle to make ends meet, they should take comfort that this situation is not permanent,“ Gachagua urged.
“I assure you that we are a team of patriotic men and women not sleeping, working on strategies to do away with misery, pain, and indignation; we shall restore the dignity of the payslip. God willing, we shall get there.”
Ruto highlights successes
During the ceremony, Ruto declared major changes, which are set to further ease the burden on Kenyan workers with payslips, noting that retirees’ pensions and gratuities will no longer be subjected to taxes.
Additionally, the head of state also indicated that employers will now directly apply for tax relief, something that was previously done by the Kenya Revenue Authority.
“To improve workers’ take-home pay, employers will now be required to apply eligible tax relief and exemptions directly when calculating Pay as you earn (PAYE); a significant shift from the current system where such reliefs can only be claimed from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA),” Ruto declared.
“This will increase efficiency and immediately benefit employees. Additionally, all pensions and gratuity payments for both the public and private sectors will now be tax-exempt,” he stated.
“This reform is a recognition of the service and sacrifice of our senior citizens and workers and a step towards ensuring that retirement is met with dignity, not stress.”