Francis Atwoli, Secretary-General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), delivered a passionate speech during the 2025 Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi. He addressed major issues affecting Kenyan workers, including taxation, outsourcing, and social media regulation.
Atwoli urged the government to reduce the tax burden on workers. He argued that statutory deductions should apply only to a worker’s basic salary, not the gross amount. He insisted that employees working overtime or earning bonuses deserve to enjoy their extra income without heavy deductions. His remarks struck a chord with many workers frustrated by rising taxes and new levies introduced by President William Ruto’s administration, such as the Housing Levy and the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
He also condemned labour outsourcing, comparing it to modern slavery. Atwoli asked the government to recognize outsourced workers and protect their rights through formal negotiations. He stated that applying statutory deductions to all outsourced employees could help increase national revenue.
Atwoli’s speech turned controversial when he called for government control over social media. He warned that unregulated digital platforms could incite lawlessness and destabilize the country. Citing examples from China, Dubai, the UK, and the US, he encouraged Kenya to implement similar measures.
He also criticized the state of Nairobi’s urban management, especially the presence of hawkers along Mombasa Road. According to him, the city’s disorder reflects poorly on the country and signals deep poverty. He urged the national and county governments to work together to restore Nairobi’s former glory. He compared the city’s condition to cleaner, more organized capitals like Kigali, Accra, and Abuja.
Atwoli’s Labour Day speech reaffirmed his commitment to workers’ rights and economic reform. His push for tax relief, better labour policies, and digital regulation reflects widespread concern among Kenyan workers. Whether the government will respond remains uncertain, but Atwoli made his stance clear: workers deserve better.
