A dramatic standoff unfolded at President William Ruto’s office after a female employee locked herself inside for three nights, protesting a forced relocation from her current workspace.
The civil servant, whose identity has not been officially disclosed, claims she is being pushed out so that the Head of State can occupy the entire floor, including her office.
Speaking emotionally in an interview with Citizen TV, the woman said she fears stepping out of the office, alleging that she is being monitored closely.
“All my belongings, including important documents, are in here. I can’t leave because I feel like I’m being tracked like a rat. The moment I walk out, they will demolish this office. The President wants the entire floor for himself, including my space,” she said.
Her concerns are not just about the relocation but also about the safety risks associated with her new proposed office space. She explained that she has a disability and is dependent on the elevator to move between floors. She fears being trapped in case of a power outage or elevator breakdown, especially since the new location is on the eighth floor.
“I’ve asked what safety precautions have been put in place to protect me if the lift fails or there’s a blackout, but I haven’t received any clear or reassuring answers,” she added.
According to her, there are more suitable and accessible offices available on lower floors, but she is being unfairly compelled to move to a location that does not meet her accessibility needs. Despite repeated attempts to resolve the matter with Chief of Staff Felix Koskei, she says her pleas have been ignored.
“I’m here to speak up because no one is listening to me. No one is fighting for me. I have overcome so many obstacles to get to where I am today, and now I feel like I’m being thrown away,” she lamented.
She is now calling on Koskei to take her concerns seriously and act in line with policies that protect the rights of public servants living with disabilities.
Her situation highlights broader concerns regarding the treatment of persons with disabilities in the public service. According to the Disability Policy and Guidelines for the Public Service on Accessibility and Safety of the Built Environment, all public offices must ensure that workplaces are conducive and safe for employees with disabilities.
The guidelines state:
“Every public service institution shall, in deploying public officers, take due care to ensure that the duty station, workstation, and work environment are conducive to public officers with disabilities.”
It further emphasizes the importance of emergency protocols, adding:
“Emergency measures shall also be put in place to ensure that persons with disabilities can safely and effectively evacuate the workplace to an area of safety.”
Interestingly, the office renovations at the center of this conflict are reportedly part of broader upgrades previously proposed by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
These renovations involve the Harambee Annex office, the official Karen residence, and the Mombasa office, as suggested in the last financial year.
This ongoing dispute has sparked conversations around workplace rights, accessibility, and the need for public institutions to uphold inclusive standards—particularly when dealing with staff members living with disabilities.
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