State officials banned from traveling abroad without Uhuru’s permission

Kenya's government officials have been banned from travelling outside the country unless they have express permission from President Uhuru Kenyatta.

"This is to notify you that it has been decided, until further advised otherwise, no government official will travel outside the country without clearance by the president," read a circular by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua to Cabinet Secretaries. the Attorney General and Principal Secretaries.

"For avoidance of doubt, the officials in reference include Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Officers in Ministries, Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals and their officers, and Board of Directors of Parastatals.

The letter dated September 13 was copied to the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kinyua said the directive takes effect immediately, without indicating the reason for the drastic order.

In the recent past, some individuals have been stopped by Immigration from boarding their flights as officials at the airport demanded clearance letters.

Human rights activist Maina Kiai was in August temporarily held at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for failure to provide prove of clearance. He was later allowed to proceed with his trip after intervention from Director of Immigration Gordon Kihalangwa.

In the same month, shortly after the General Election, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s Roselyne Akombe missed her flight to the US as airport officials demanded to see her travel clearance. She was later allowed to travel after a night long delay.