Career civil servants in DP's office finally allowed to work

 impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) during the hearing of three cases challenging his impeachment at Milimani Law Courts, Nairobi, on October 22, 2024. [David Gichuru,Standard]

All career civil servants domiciled in the Office of the Deputy President were finally allowed entry yesterday, a day after being turned away.

When they reported to work on Wednesday morning, they were initially asked to leave, with instructions that they would be notified when to resume. However later in the day, they were called in.

Among those allowed in included personnel from Finance and Human Resource departments, who are also expected to process this month’s salary.

“The staff were  turned away when they reported for work in the morning but the career civil servants were allowed in later in the day,” said an employee from the office.

This happened and a three-judge bench on impeached Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua issued a ruling that it would not recuse itself from a case challenging appointment of his replacement, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki.

On Tuesday, some staff were denied access to Harambee House Annex and Karen offices by police officers from Rapid Deployment Unit manning the two offices.

Even pleas by the staff to collect their personal belongings fell on deaf ears, as they complained of unprocedural dismissal, saying the law dictates that this should happen in writing, which they had not received. The civil servants had questioned the move and were afraid whether they would receive their October salaries

“We were never issued with a written notice to direct us to go on leave and this may complicate our aim to demand salaries for the days we shall be at home. We have taken loans that require us to be serviced and we hope the President intervenes,” one told The Standard.

A day after National Assembly approved Prof Kindiki as Gachagua’s replacement, the government sent all 108 officers in Gachagua’s office on compulsory leave effective Saturday, October 18. 

Principal Administrative Secretary Patrick Mwangi said all heads of departments were directed to ensure they designate a responsible officer to take over operations forthwith.

“Following the ongoing constitutional process affecting the Deputy President, it has been decided that all officers in Job Groups T and U are to proceed on compulsory leave immediately,” Mwangi said.

“All Heads of Departments shall ensure conformity to these directives by 12:00 pm on October 19, 2024,” he added.

The document also provided names of 108 employees including their names, staff numbers, job titles and job grades.