Public servants told to stop using mother tongue in offices

By Robert Nyasato

Public servants have been asked to uphold professionalism and stop using mother tongues in offices.

The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) has raised concern over use of mother tongue in public offices, saying it is unethical.

CAJ Chairman Otiende Amollo noted that the Constitution recognised two official languages – Kiswahili and English – which should be used in public offices.

Mr Amollo, who addressed leaders at Gusii County Hall during the commission’s Kisii County farmiliarisation tour, said some civil servants report to their work stations late after keeping the public waiting.

He urged public servants to be time-conscious and have courtesy while serving the public, as they were servants of people and not their masters. Amollo visited eight Government offices where he found that some officers reported to work late.

• .

  Keep Reading

• 
  DP Gachagua: I was not lying about tigers in Kenya
• 
  Firm linked to fake fertiliser calls for arrest of Linturi, NCPB boss
• 
  Bill: Former EACC boss Ringera says graft convicts must not run for office

Amollo cited Gusii County Council where over 50 per cent of the staff had not reported by 8.30am except the Town Clerk and the surveyor. Amollo noted that the civic authority also lacked a service charter.

At Kisii Municipal Council, the council lacked facilities for people with disabilities who are forced to use steep staircases to access services.  

The commissioners were shocked to find officers at the Department of Registrar of Persons using vernacular language.