Reports circulating on social media in the last few days have alleged that President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to instigate a major shakeup by sending his entire cabinet packing. Reports circulating for the better part of Thursday afternoon claimed that all Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries had been sent on compulsory leave.
However, Sources has established that the rumours were fueled by a letter sent out by Head of Public Service, Joseph K. Kinyua on Tuesday.
In a routine circular issued every year during the Christmas festive season, Kinyua directed that the Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) can take their leave between Friday, December 21, 2018, and Monday, January 7, 2019.
“In the spirit of allowing you to celebrate Christmas with family and friends, it has been decided that you can take Christmas recess on between these dates,” the circular from the office of the president reads.
The circular is addressed to all Cabinet and Principal Secretaries (PSs), the Attorney General (AG) and Accounting Officers in the ministries.
“In your absence, you are required to designate a duty officer who will be in the office throughout the period.
“The officer should be senior enough to deal with routine day to day assignments of your office,” the Head of Public Service advises.
In the circular dated December 18, Kinyua also asked the CSs and the PSs to forward the name, designation, office phone and mobile number of the duty officer to his office.
“The same can be sent to the attention of Aggrey Busena, the Secretary Administration in the Presidency and Cabinet Affairs Office,” he notes.
Kinyua, however, cautions that the Christmas season leave should not be construed as clearance for the CSs and PSs to travel out of the country.
Government Spokesperson Eric Kiraithe on Thursday issued a statement clarifying that the circular was meant to offer the officers involved an opportunity to celebrate Christmas with their family and friends.
