A Nation at a Crossroads: Gachagua Sounds Alarm on Workers, Youth, and Broken Promises

Story by Ayubu John Afrimedia news 

A Nation at a Crossroads: Gachagua Sounds Alarm on Workers, Youth, and Broken Promises

Kenya stands at a critical turning point, with growing concerns over economic hardship, inequality, and unmet promises dominating the national conversation. In a strongly worded address, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua painted a sobering picture of a country grappling with deep structural challenges despite ongoing reforms.

Speaking as “a witness to the struggles and resilience of Kenyans,” Gachagua acknowledged that while reforms have been implemented and progress is visible in some sectors, their outcomes remain uncertain and lack clear timelines.

Healthcare and Education Under Strain

The Deputy President highlighted gaps in healthcare, noting that many families still lack insurance and struggle to access essential services. Despite the presence of hospitals, he said, quality care remains out of reach for ordinary citizens.

A Nation at a Crossroads: Gachagua Sounds Alarm on Workers, Youth, and Broken Promises

In education, he pointed to a deepening crisis in public universities, many of which are burdened by debt. The new funding model, he argued, has left institutions strained and placed over 100,000 students in uncertainty, raising questions about the future of higher education in the country.

The Wage Bill Debate

Gachagua also waded into the ongoing debate over Kenya’s public wage bill, terming it both high at the top and painfully low at the bottom. While senior officials command significant salaries, he noted that millions of workers—especially in the informal and lower public service tiers—earn wages that cannot sustain basic living.

He argued that the real crisis is not just the size of the wage bill, but its structure:

A large share concentrated among top earners

Low and stagnant pay for junior workers

Minimal support for informal sector earners

“This imbalance,” he implied, “is what continues to widen inequality and fuel public frustration.”

The Invisible Workforce

Gachagua turned his focus to Kenya’s informal sector, which employs more than 80 percent of the population. He described these workers—ranging from small-scale traders to boda boda operators—as the backbone of the economy, yet largely unprotected.

“They generate billions, but their jobs remain risky, incomes unstable, and dignity ignored,” he said, questioning whether the current system delivers justice for ordinary workers.

Youth and the ‘Hustle Economy’

The address also spotlighted the plight of young Kenyans engaged in gig work, particularly in ride-hailing platforms. According to Gachagua, many work long hours—up to 14 per day—while earning meagre wages and surrendering a significant portion of their income to platform commissions.

He termed the system “exploitative,” warning that what is often presented as innovation may in reality be a form of economic oppression.

Rising Social Pressures

Beyond the economy, Gachagua raised concern over increasing social challenges, including road fatalities, mental health struggles, and rising suicide cases. He criticized what he described as silence from leadership in the face of these issues.

Youth Migration and Desperation

The Deputy President also addressed the growing trend of youth migration, describing it as a “desperation-driven exodus.” He warned that many young Kenyans seeking opportunities abroad face abuse, with some going missing or failing to return home.

A Call to Action

In his concluding remarks, Gachagua called for urgent reforms centered on fairness and dignity. He urged for:

Fair wages

A more balanced and just wage bill

Safe working conditions

Accessible healthcare

Affordable education

Greater accountability in leadership

“Dignity is not a privilege—it is a right,” he emphasized.

Framing the moment as decisive, he challenged Kenyans to take charge of their future, warning that the country’s destiny must be shaped by its people.

“The time has come—not tomorrow, not someday, but now,”