Relief Hopes for Kenyan Workers as Atwoli Pushes for Changes in Payslip Deductions
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General, Francis Atwoli, has urged the government to review how statutory deductions are made from the salaries of Kenyan workers.
Speaking during the Labour Day celebrations held at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Atwoli said the current system does not reflect the real economic struggles faced by many salaried Kenyans.
He specifically asked President William Ruto’s administration to consider amending the law so that all statutory deductions are based on the basic salary rather than the gross income.
Atwoli argued that deducting from the gross pay leaves many workers with very little, despite their hard work and effort to improve their quality of life.
He emphasized that salaried employees are burdened with heavy deductions, which he believes are a major obstacle to personal and national economic growth.
“These deductions shouldn’t be taken from the gross salary. Let them be applied only to the basic salary so that the rest of the gross pay remains untouched,” Atwoli said. “People work extremely hard, but in the end, they take home very little. That is unfair.”
Atwoli appealed to President Ruto to take the issue seriously and help secure the financial well-being of millions of workers who continue to struggle under the weight of rising taxes and the high cost of living.
In addition, Atwoli criticized the government’s decision to rely on outsourced labour for certain services, warning that it undermines efforts to meet revenue collection goals.
He called for all outsourced workers to be subjected to the same statutory deductions as other Kenyan employees.
According to him, this would not only promote fairness but also help improve tax collection and increase government revenue.
The COTU boss also touched on global issues, pointing to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s economic policies as an example Kenya could learn from.
He praised Trump’s push for self-reliance and support for local manufacturing in the U.S., saying it was a wake-up call for Kenya to build its own economic independence.
“Trump’s approach of prioritising local industries shows us the importance of being self-sufficient. It’s time for us to chart a path of economic freedom,” he said.
Atwoli did not shy away from addressing domestic concerns either. He spoke out against the growing wave of criticism directed at the Ruto administration. Instead, he called on Kenyans to show unity and patriotism, particularly during tough economic times.
He also raised concerns about the misuse of social media platforms. Atwoli proposed stricter regulation of digital spaces, warning that unchecked online behavior could lead to unrest.
He cautioned that the spread of false information and toxic content on social media might destabilize the country if not addressed promptly.
Overall, Atwoli’s message highlighted the struggles of the Kenyan working class and urged the government to take practical steps to protect workers’ incomes, regulate the labour market more fairly, and promote national unity in the digital age.
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