Cindy Ogana reacts after Ruto reduces PAYE for select earners
Media personality Cindy Ogana has reacted to President William Ruto’s new tax reforms, warning that they could have unintended consequences for low and middle-income earners.
Ruto, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 announced that PAYE will be scrapped for earners of Ksh30,000 and below, while the tax rate will be reduced to 25 per cent for those earning up to Ksh50,000. Cindy said the changes could end up keeping workers poorer.
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“50K is the new minimum wage,” Cindy said, adding that most small businesses may resist paying employees more than that.
She explained that while the tax cuts are meant to help workers, the limit could create challenges for people trying to earn a living above the new threshold.
The president made the announcement while speaking to UDA aspirants at the State House, Nairobi. He said the government would forward the recommendations to Parliament for consideration. The aim, he said, is to reduce the financial burden on low and middle-income workers across Kenya.
Potential challenges for workers and small businesses
Cindy noted that small businesses might struggle with the changes and resist raising wages beyond Ksh50,000.
“This may actually keep people poorer, as most small businesses will resist paying guys more than 50K,” she said.
She argued that while tax reductions are welcome, they may not lead to higher income if businesses do not adjust their pay structures.
She explained that the move could create a situation where workers are capped at lower salaries, limiting their financial growth over time. Cindy’s concerns reflect a wider debate about how government policy interacts with business realities and the everyday lives of workers.
The tax reforms, if passed, will impact thousands of Kenyans earning up to Ksh50,000. Ruto said the government hopes the changes will make life easier for earners who previously struggled under the PAYE system. Cindy, however, urges policymakers to consider the effects on small businesses and the broader workforce.
The president’s announcement is part of a wider plan to make taxation more equitable. Cindy concluded by stressing that while tax relief is important, workers’ actual wages and opportunities to grow financially must also be protected.
