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Labour Day reality: SHA & other taxes Kenyan workers wish were dropped
01st May, 2026 07:50 AM
For many Kenyan workers, the story of Labour Day does not start at the stadium or on TV.
It starts with a simple moment, which is opening a payslip.
You check the gross salary, feel hopeful for a second, then your eyes drop to the deductions.
One after another, they chip away at what you actually take home. By the time you reach the net pay, the feeling is familiar.
This is the real Labour Day conversation for many people.
It is not that Kenyans do not understand taxes. Most do. The concern is whether the deductions feel fair, necessary and worth it in daily life.
SHA and the question of duplication
The Social Health Authority was introduced to strengthen healthcare access across the country. The intention is clear.
But for workers who already have medical cover through their employers, it feels like paying twice for the same thing. That is where the discomfort comes in.
Many feel SHA would make more sense if it allowed flexibility.
If someone is already covered, should they still be required to contribute in the same way? It is a question that keeps coming up in everyday conversations.
PAYE and the shrinking salary
PAYE has always been part of employment, but its weight feels heavier today for many workers.
With rent, food and transport costs still high, what remains after deductions sometimes feels too little.
The issue is not just the tax itself, but how it fits into the current cost of living.
For many, the hope is simple. Either the rates are adjusted or the system becomes more considerate of what workers are left with at the end of the month.
Housing Levy and the trust gap
The idea of affordable housing is one that many Kenyans support. Everyone wants decent housing at a fair cost.
But the Housing Levy has raised questions that have not fully settled. Workers want to understand how their contributions translate into real benefits.
If you contribute for years, will that reduce the cost of a house you want to buy? Or will you still be required to pay the full price like someone who did not contribute?
Some feel it would be easier to accept if the levy were voluntary, or if the path from contribution to ownership were clearer.
Fuel Levy and everyday pressure
Fuel Levy is not always visible on paper, but it is felt everywhere.
When fuel prices go up, transport costs rise. Food becomes more expensive. Even small daily expenses increase.
Many workers say that if they are paying this levy, then the results should be visible. Roads should be smooth. Travel should be easier.
Even in interior areas, infrastructure should reflect the contribution people are making.
The expectation is not complicated. If people are paying more, they should see more.
The real feeling behind it all
At the heart of this conversation is not resistance to taxation. It is about balance.
Workers want to feel that what they give matches what they receive. They want clarity, fairness and visible impact.
Labour Day is meant to celebrate the worker, but it is also a chance to listen to them.
As Kenya marks Labour Day today, the cheers, speeches and celebrations will go on.
But beyond that, there is a quieter, honest conversation happening in homes and workplaces. It is the conversation about the payslip.
And for many workers, the hope is not to avoid contributing, but to feel that every deduction makes sense, every shilling counts and every effort is recognised.
