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 – Man...
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