Government Orders All Civil Servants to Report to Work Despite Saba Saba Protests
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has issued a strong directive to all civil servants, requiring them to report to work on Monday, July 7, even though nationwide Saba Saba Day protests are expected to disrupt several parts of the country.
While addressing a church congregation in Embu County on Sunday—an event also attended by President William Ruto—CS Ruku made it clear that Monday is a normal working day and not a public holiday. He warned that any government employee who fails to show up for duty will face serious consequences.
“Let me make it very clear: Monday is not a public holiday. Every civil servant in Kenya must be in their office, whether in regional headquarters, subcounty offices, or any government agency across the country,” Ruku stated firmly.
He added that all civil servants are required to follow the official Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual, which outlines their responsibilities and expectations. According to Ruku, government offices will open precisely at 8:00 AM and close at 5:00 PM, and these working hours must be strictly followed without fail.
Ruku also emphasized that the standard lunch break will be observed from exactly 12:30 PM, and no other unauthorized breaks will be allowed during the day. He maintained that excuses related to the planned protests would not be tolerated.
The CS warned that any public servant who fails to comply with the directive will be served with a show-cause letter, demanding an explanation for their absence. He also mentioned that he will be making unannounced visits to various government offices to personally monitor whether staff are reporting to work as expected.
“Some people are spreading false information, claiming that Monday is a public holiday. That’s not true. Every government worker must be at their station, and I’ll be conducting random spot checks. If I find any office empty, expect disciplinary action,” he insisted.
As the country braces for the Saba Saba Day protests, anxiety continues to grow. The demonstrations—commemorated each year on July 7—trace their roots back to 1990 when citizens took to the streets to demand multiparty democracy under the repressive rule of former President Daniel Arap Moi and the then-ruling party, KANU.
By Sunday afternoon, several learning institutions across the country had already advised parents to keep their children at home on Monday as a safety precaution due to the anticipated protests.
Newshub.co.ke has confirmed that at least 20 schools have officially informed parents that learners should remain home to avoid potential risks.
In addition, some major companies and private employers had also taken early measures by notifying their staff to work remotely on Monday.
The decision was made out of concern that protests could escalate into unrest, putting employees at risk if they attempt to commute to work.
While many Kenyans are preparing to participate in the demonstrations to express their frustrations over various national issues, the government is standing firm, warning that public service will not be disrupted and all civil servants must carry out their duties as usual.
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