All civil servants across Kenya have been directed to report to their workstations on Monday, July 7, regardless of the nationwide Saba Saba Day protests, with the government issuing a stern warning against absenteeism.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku emphasized that July 7 is not a public holiday, and any failure to report to duty will result in disciplinary action. He made the remarks during a church service in Embu County attended by President William Ruto.
Tomorrow, Monday, is not a public holiday. All civil servants across the Republic of Kenya are expected to be in their offices regardless,” Ruku said.
Citing Article 10 and Article 232 of the Constitution, which enshrine values and principles of public service, Ruku reminded public officers of their legal and moral duty to serve with dedication and integrity. He referenced the Public Service Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual, which mandates reporting on all official working days.
Government offices in Nairobi, Mombasa, and North Eastern counties are among those expected to operate normally. Detailed reporting hours were provided:
- Mombasa & North Eastern: Offices open at 7:30 am, lunch break at 12:30 pm
- Other regions: Standard hours from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Ruku issued a warning to those claiming the day is a public holiday.
“To those saying tomorrow is a public holiday, we are expecting you in your offices at the required time, according to the policies put in place.”
He further warned of unannounced spot checks by his office, adding:
You don’t know where I’ll wake up tomorrow. And if I arrive and find no one at work, there will be letters of show cause issued.”
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the original Saba Saba rally in 1990 that led to the restoration of multi-party democracy in Kenya. However, the 2025 Saba Saba protests are expected to feature renewed demands, especially from youth-led movements critical of the Ruto administration’s economic policies and alleged failure to fulfill campaign promises.
Protesters cite high living costs, tax burdens, and what they call growing authoritarianism as the motivation behind the planned demonstrations. Despite this, the government maintains that the public service must remain uninterrupted.
