Case for a Left Socialist Political Party to Represent Kenyan Workers

By Andrew Mwangura

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Kenyan workers are the backbone of the nation’s economy, yet their struggles remain largely unaddressed by the current political landscape.

From the informal sector workers toiling in markets to the teachers, nurses, and factory laborers, the working class faces systemic challenges—low wages, precarious employment, and limited access to social protections.

The absence of a robust political voice advocating for their interests has left them vulnerable to exploitation and marginalization.

A left socialist political party, grounded in principles of equity, collective welfare, and economic justice, is not just desirable but essential to represent Kenyan workers and address their plight.

Such a party would offer a transformative alternative to the entrenched neoliberal and elite-driven politics that have long sidelined the working class.

The Kenyan political scene is dominated by parties that, despite their populist rhetoric, primarily serve the interests of the wealthy and well-connected.

Successive governments have prioritized foreign investment, privatization, and market-driven policies, often at the expense of workers’ rights. For instance, the informal sector, which employs over 80% of Kenya’s workforce, operates with little regulation or support.

Jua kali artisans, street vendors, and domestic workers earn meager incomes, often below the living wage, and lack access to healthcare, pensions, or job security.

Formal sector workers fare little better, with stagnant wages despite rising inflation and a cost-of-living crisis that has eroded purchasing power.

The recent Finance Bill protests, sparked by punitive tax proposals, exposed the disconnect between the ruling class and the workers who bear the brunt of regressive policies.

A left socialist party would prioritize workers’ needs over corporate profits, advocating for policies that redistribute wealth and power.

Such a party would champion a worker-centered agenda rooted in socialist principles. It would push for a progressive tax system to fund public services like universal healthcare and education, which are critical for workers’ dignity and security.

Currently, Kenya’s tax regime disproportionately burdens low-income earners while offering loopholes for the wealthy.

A socialist party would advocate for wealth taxes and corporate accountability to ensure the rich pay their fair share, reducing the tax burden on workers. It would also demand a living wage, pegged to inflation, to guarantee that every worker can afford basic necessities.

Beyond wages, it would fight for stronger labor protections, including the right to unionize without fear of victimization, a persistent issue in Kenya’s private sector.

By prioritizing collective bargaining, the party would empower workers to negotiate better conditions and challenge exploitative employers.

The absence of a unifying political force for workers has allowed the government and private sector to erode labor gains.

For example, public sector workers like teachers and healthcare professionals frequently strike over delayed salaries, underfunded sectors, and broken promises on collective bargaining agreements.

A left socialist party would serve as a bulwark against such neglect, holding the state accountable and ensuring that public sector workers are treated with the respect they deserve. It would also address the growing precarity of work in the gig economy, where drivers and delivery workers face exploitation by multinational platforms with no local accountability.

By advocating for regulations that protect gig workers, such a party would extend its reach to emerging sectors of the workforce.

Critics might argue that Kenya’s political culture, steeped in ethnic divisions and patronage, makes a socialist party unfeasible.

They may claim that workers are too fragmented to rally behind a single ideological banner. However, this view underestimates the shared struggles of Kenyan workers, regardless of ethnicity or region.

The 2024 protests against the Finance Bill demonstrated that Kenyans can unite across divides when their livelihoods are at stake.

A socialist party could harness this energy, offering a clear vision of economic justice that transcends tribal politics.

By focusing on class-based issues—wages, healthcare, housing, and education—it would provide a unifying platform for workers to demand systemic change.

Moreover, socialism’s emphasis on collective welfare aligns with Kenya’s communal traditions, making it a natural fit for mobilizing workers.

Another critique is that socialism could deter foreign investment and stifle economic growth. Yet, Kenya’s current capitalist model has failed to deliver inclusive prosperity.

Despite decades of market-friendly policies, poverty rates remain high, with over a third of Kenyans living below the poverty line. Foreign investors often extract wealth without creating sustainable jobs or infrastructure.

A socialist party would not reject investment but would demand that it serves the public good, prioritizing local employment and reinvestment in communities.

It would also champion state-led industrialization to create jobs and reduce reliance on imports, fostering self-sufficiency while protecting workers’ rights.

The urgency of a left socialist party is underscored by Kenya’s youth bulge and rising unemployment.

Young workers, who form the majority of the population, face a future of joblessness or underemployment.

Without a political force to advocate for their economic inclusion, frustration will continue to fuel unrest.

A socialist party could channel this energy into constructive demands for job creation, skills training, and social safety nets. It would also address structural inequalities, such as land ownership, which lock many workers out of wealth-building opportunities.

By redistributing resources and prioritizing public investment, the party would create a more equitable economy where workers thrive.

Kenya’s workers deserve a political party that sees their struggles, amplifies their voices, and fights for their rights.

A left socialist party would fill this void, offering a vision of a society where wealth is shared, labor is valued, and no one is left behind. It would challenge the status quo, dismantle elite dominance, and build an economy that works for all. The time for such a party is now—Kenyan workers cannot afford to wait.

The author is a policy analyst specializing in maritime governance and blue economy development.