Union SG Charles Mukhwaya demands urgent wage relief, tax review

Kenyan workers are sinking under the weight of high taxation and persistent inflation, with real incomes collapsing faster than wages can adjust, the Kenya Universities Staff Union has warned.

In a press statement released yesterday, *KUSU Secretary General Charles Mukhwaya* said the “double burden” of increased deductions and elevated commodity prices was pushing university staff and other workers to the brink.

“Over the last 24 months, Kenyan workers have faced a double burden,” Mr. Mukhwaya stated. “High taxation through increased PAYE rates, housing levy deductions, expanded VAT on essentials, and higher NSSF contributions have slashed net pay. For many workers on median wages, statutory deductions now consume over 45% of gross income before they buy food or pay rent.”

He added that despite KNBS reporting headline inflation at 6.8% in April 2026, workers were experiencing much higher food inflation. “The cost of basic commodities remains elevated. Food inflation for staples like maize flour, cooking oil, milk and vegetables is above 10%. Transport and energy costs have stayed high, wiping out any wage adjustments,” he said.

‘Wages cannot fund government alone’

Mr. Mukhwaya argued that taxation without relief was unsustainable and risked eroding worker morale and productivity in public universities and beyond.

“Workers are not anti-development. We support nation-building. But development cannot be funded by impoverishing the people building the nation. Taxation without relief and inflation without control is a recipe for social unrest,” he warned.

*KUSU’s demands*

The union is now calling on Government, Parliament and employers to act urgently:

1. *Review tax policy*: Reduce PAYE bands and zero-rate VAT on essential food items, sanitary products and school supplies. Make housing levy contributions voluntary until tangible housing delivery is demonstrated.

2. *Cost-of-living adjustment*: Mandate wage adjustments for public and private sector workers, benchmarked to real inflation, not headline rates.

3. *Tame commodity prices*: Use strategic food reserves, fair fuel pricing, and crack down on cartels driving up costs.

4. *Protect take-home pay*: Cap total statutory deductions at 35% of gross pay for low and middle-income earners.

“A worker who cannot feed their family cannot build Kenya,” Mr. Mukhwaya said. “KUSU is ready to engage Government and employers in good faith. But we will not hesitate to mobilize our members if urgent steps are not taken to restore dignity to wages.”

The union represents thousands of non-teaching staff in public universities across the country.