By Mandere Onyinkwa
The Democratic Party of Kenya has rallied workers to take a central role in shaping the country’s political and economic future, while pledging sweeping reforms if it forms the next government.
In the Labour Day statement signed by party leader Rt. Hon. JB Muturi, the party paid tribute to Kenyan workers, describing them as “the backbone of our economy and the engine of our democracy.”
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“We salute the workers and labourers of our nation,” the statement reads, adding that workers have never been mere spectators but “central partners in Kenya’s democratic journey.”
The party used the occasion to urge workers not to lose hope as the country approaches what it termed a “critical democratic transition.”
“Do not give up on our mother Kenya. Your voice, your vote, and your solidarity will shape the future of this country,” Muturi said.
At the heart of the message was a commitment to elevate workers’ voices in governance.
The party criticized the long-standing exclusion of workers from key policy decisions, especially those affecting wages, working conditions, and social protection.
“For too long, workers have been sidelined in decisions that directly affect their livelihoods. That must end,” the statement declares, promising that workers will have a seat at the decision-making table.
The DP also took aim at the slow implementation of labour reforms, noting that while other countries are advancing protections for workers, many Kenyan labour standards remain unfulfilled.
“We reject any system that condemns Kenyan workers to perpetual poverty,” Muturi stated.
In a politically charged tone, the party framed the 2027 general election as a turning point for labour rights.
“2027 will be the year of the Kenyan worker,” the statement asserts, drawing parallels with the 1960s independence struggle.
“Just as the workers and patriots of the 1960s stood up and said enough is enough, today’s generation must rise with the same courage.”
The party further pledged that, if elected, it would fully implement and enforce international labour conventions already ratified by Kenya.
“Ratification is not enough. We will ensure full domestication and enforcement so that Kenyan workers stand shoulder to shoulder with their counterparts across the globe,” Muturi said.
The party made a direct call to action, urging workers to organize, participate in governance, and demand accountability.
