Rising living costs are pushing construction workers in Turkana County into financial hardship, with workers saying their wages can barely cover food, rent and other basic family needs.
Speaking to stakeholders on Wednesday, the artisans said some skilled workers earn as little as Sh1,000 per day, while their assistants receive about Sh500, despite working in difficult conditions.
The workers said the money is barely enough to cover basic needs such as food, rent, electricity, water, transport and school fees.
“A skilled worker is paid Sh500. With that amount, you have not even eaten lunch. You only had tea in the morning. If you eat lunch, by evening you are left with Sh100 or Sh150. How will you feed your family? You can see how difficult life has become.”One construction worker said.
The artisans said the rising cost of household goods and essential services has left many of them struggling to decide which basic needs to prioritize.
For workers who are the main providers for their families, they said the situation has become particularly difficult, with some forced to choose between paying rent, buying food and meeting their children’s education expenses.
One worker said the low wages make it difficult for families to invest in their children’s education.
“If you are paid Sh1,000 and remain with Sh300 after breakfast and lunch, how will you educate a child who needs Sh80,000 for a university semester?” The construction worker said.
The artisans said they are ready to work with government departments, organisations and other stakeholders that require skilled labour in Turkana County.
Patron and Director of the association, Eng. Philemon Loyapan, said the group is working to bring artisans together so they can access opportunities collectively and improve their livelihoods.
“We have decided to take action to improve the lives of artisans and construction workers in Turkana by ensuring that they unite, work together and seek opportunities collectively to fight poverty.”Loyapan said.
Loyapan said the initiative will also create opportunities for young people to use their skills to become self-reliant instead of depending on their parents.
He said the association believes that vocational skills can provide a pathway to employment, income and better livelihoods.
The artisans are calling on the Turkana County Government, organisations, businesses and residents of Lodwar to work with them to improve working conditions and ensure fair compensation.
They argue that the demanding nature of their work, coupled with difficult working environments and low wages, has left many skilled workers feeling undervalued.
The latest concerns come just two weeks after construction workers in Lokichar staged a strike, protesting what they described as low wages that do not reflect the high cost of living.
The complaints follow similar concerns raised by the Turkana Fundis Association in May 2026 over low wages for artisans in construction, welding, electrical work, plumbing and carpentry.
The association has called on the county government and other stakeholders to improve working conditions, expand opportunities and ensure artisans receive fair compensation for their skills.
