Siaya County workers mark Sasa Saba by staying at home

Siaya, Kenya: More than 2,000 county workers downed their tools following the directive by Siaya County Governor Cornel Rasanga that Monday is 'a public holiday.'

Mr Rasanga had ordered that workers would not be allowed in office on Monday following the Coalition of Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga's call that the day be declared a public holiday.

But it was business as usual for the civil servants working for the national government as operations and services were offered to the residents even though on a low pace.

At the county offices normal operations were halted as chief officers and workers including deputy governor Wilson Onyango boycotted work.

The governor’s office remained closed as visitors and a number of vehicles that normally troop in were nowhere on site.

“We cannot afford to stay out of work as civil servants at the National government because we may be sacked,” said one of the workers working at the county commissioner’s office.

Rasanga said that as the Chief Executive Officer he has full authority to call for a holiday in his county.

He added that he had taken the move to give the residents an opportunity to join other Kenyans in marking the Saba Saba day.

The governor noted that the people of Siaya just as other Kenyans have a right to join in the agenda of calling for change concerning the contentious issues in this country.

Rasanga directed his deputy Wilson Onyango to ensure that no worker including those of National government report for duty until the rally is over.

He directed that all civil servants working in Siaya County including those working on the other wing of the Central government should have a rest on that Saba Saba day.

Governor Rasanga was speaking during a Cord rally at Ugunja township ahead of the Monday Saba Saba meeting in the capital Nairobi.

He called on those who will not go to Nairobi, to organize mini rallies within the county to demonstrate their solidarity with the rest of Kenyans in pushing for change in this country.

A spot check by The Standard indicated that many people defied the order and went with their businesses as usual.

Pamela Ochieng who sales groceries said she cannot go without the business for her children may lack what to eat.