Every day, Kenyans accept painfully low wages for their skills, experience, and time. Whether it's a translator taking KES 30,000 when the market rate is KES 60,000, a waiter working six days a week for KES 12,000, or a factory worker grinding for KES 100 per Saturday shift—these scenarios are far too common. The consequences of this widespread problem are serious: it depresses wages for everyone, normalizes exploitation, and keeps the majority of Kenyans in a cycle of financial struggle.
But why do people accept these conditions? The reasons are complex and deeply ingrained in our society. Some of the biggest factors include:
Desperation and Survival Mode – Bills have to be paid, children need food, and in a country with a high unemployment rate, any income feels better than no income.
Lack of Salary Transparency – Employers take advantage of the fact that salaries are gatekept, meaning most people don’t even know their market worth.
Low Self-Worth and Fear of Speaking Up – Many Kenyans believe they should be ‘grateful’ for any job, even if it’s exploitative.
Cultural and Religious Guilt – Society often shames those who demand better pay, branding them as ‘entitled’ or ‘proud.’
Lack of Collective Action – People don’t negotiate together, making it easy for employers to keep wages low.
Weak Laws and Enforcements – Labor laws exist, but they are rarely enforced, and work unions lack real influence in many industries.
Personal Financial Decisions – Many people are financially trapped because of poor planning, too many dependents, or lack of an emergency fund.
Exploitation of Women in the Workplace – The issue of exchanging sexual favors for jobs or promotions has made job-hunting even more difficult and toxic.
How Does This Hurt Us All in the Long Run?
Lower wages for everyone – When one person accepts a bad salary, it sets the standard for others.
Zero work-life balance – Long hours for little pay leave no time for rest, family, or personal growth.
Generational poverty – Parents can’t save or invest in their children’s futures, continuing the cycle.
Poor quality of life – Low wages force people to live paycheck to paycheck, unable to afford healthcare, education, or even nutritious meals.
Toxic work environments – Once bad conditions are accepted, they become the norm, and future employees suffer the same fate.
How Can We Fight Back? Practical, Realistic Solutions
For Job Seekers:
Stop underpricing yourself – Research your industry rates. If data is hard to find, ASK people openly about salaries.
Negotiate confidently – Your skills have value. Always ask for more, and don’t fear walking away from a bad deal.
Demand respect in job interviews – If an employer keeps you waiting without reason, disrespects your time, or refuses to state clear terms—walk away.
Build financial resilience – Before accepting a job out of desperation, explore side gigs, freelancing, or skills that allow remote work.
Stop normalizing sexual exploitation – Jobs should be based on merit, not coercion.
For Employees:
Speak up collectively – Employers exploit individuals, but groups have power. Talk to colleagues and push for better pay together.
Join a union – Many people don’t know how to join work unions, but they exist and can provide legal backing in disputes.
Set personal financial goals – Avoid financial traps that keep you stuck in desperation. Plan your life strategically.
For Employers:
Stop underpaying your staff – If you can’t afford to pay fair wages, then your business model is flawed.
Create humane working conditions – Employees are not machines. Give them reasonable hours, breaks, and respect.
Value expertise and loyalty – Underpaid workers are not motivated. A fair salary results in productivity and business growth.
For Consumers:
Research the companies you buy from – Are they known for mistreating employees? Avoid them.
Use reviews strategically – Instead of emotional rants, write informative reviews that highlight labor practices.
Support ethical businesses – Choose companies that treat their employees well, even if it means paying a little more.
For the Government & Unions:
Enforce labor laws – Existing laws must be implemented, and corrupt labor officers must be exposed.
Strengthen work unions – There should be stronger, functional unions that workers can easily join.
Publicize salary data – Make it easier for people to know their worth by regularly publishing industry wage trends.
For Parents & Young People:
Stop having more children than you can afford – If you cannot provide education and financial stability, you are setting them up for struggle.
Teach financial responsibility – Parents must guide children on career choices, job hunting, and negotiation skills.
Use your 20s wisely – This is the decade for learning, networking, and building skills—not wasting time on a hedonistic lifestyle that adds no value.
Final Thoughts: The Cost of Time vs. Money
Kenyans need to stop seeing money as the only thing of value. Time, rest, family, and personal well-being matter too. Working for KES 100 on a Saturday when you could be networking, learning, or bonding with family is a bad trade-off. Employers will squeeze as much as they can from you, and it’s your job to demand better.
Change starts with individuals making better choices. It starts with us refusing to settle for less. The more we accept poor wages, the more we contribute to a system that keeps us in poverty. It’s time to break the cycle.
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