Written by Faith Mwende
COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has urged the Kenyan government to revise its approach to salary deductions, saying workers are being unfairly taxed on their gross pay instead of their basic salaries.
Speaking during Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Atwoli called on President William Ruto to intervene and push for reforms that ensure deductions are only made from basic pay.
Atwoli argued that taxing bonuses, overtime, and allowances penalizes workers who go the extra mile, leaving many with little to show for their efforts.
He emphasized that statutory deductions, including those for the Housing Levy and the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), should not interfere with earnings from additional work.
He warned that the current system demoralizes hardworking employees and undermines their financial stability.
“Many workers are left with almost nothing after monthly deductions. This is unjust and unsustainable,” he said, urging the President to champion a fairer model.
Atwoli also raised alarm over the rising reliance on outsourced labour, saying this trend could hinder government revenue collection if outsourced workers are not subjected to the same statutory requirements as formal employees.
He encouraged the government to apply consistent policies to all categories of workers.
Reflecting on former U.S. President Donald Trump’s focus on building domestic capacity through self-reliance, Atwoli said Kenya should adopt a similar mindset and prioritize its manufacturing and economic independence.
The COTU boss further criticised unregulated use of digital platforms, warning that social media is increasingly being used irresponsibly to spread misinformation and cause division.
He called for stricter regulation of digital spaces to prevent potential unrest, noting that other countries like China, the UAE, the UK, and the US already manage social media usage more effectively.
“We must love this country. We have no other,” Atwoli said, stressing the importance of patriotism and responsible discourse, especially in the digital era.
