Uhuru allows Cabinet Secretaries to go on Christmas leave

President Uhuru Kenyatta chairing a past Cabinet meeting. He has granted Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries  December holiday. [File, Standard]

All Cabinet Secretaries (CSs), Attorney General and Principal Secretaries (PSs) have been allowed to proceed on leave from today until January 7 next year.

According to a letter by to all these State Officers that The Standard is privy to, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, has allowed them time to celebrate Christmas and New Year with their families and friends.

In their absence, Kinyua has asked the officers to designate an officer on duty who will be in the office throughout the period.

“In the spirit of allowing you to celebrate Christmas with family and friends, it has been decided that you will take Christmas recess with effect from Friday 21 December to Monday, 7 January 2019,” reads Kinyua’s letter to the officers.

He also indicated “The designated officer should be senior enough to deal with day to day assignments of your office.”

“Before you proceed on recess, please forward the name, designation, office telephone and mobile number of the duty officer to my office. The same can be send to the attention of Mr Aggrey Busena, Secretary Administration in the Presidency and Cabinet Affairs office,” the letter dated 18 of this month says.

Kinyua also put a strict rider “This should not be construed as clearance to travel out of the country.”

However, Education CS Amina Mohammed is unlikely to proceed on leave because she is expected to announce results of Kenya Certificate Secondary Education (KCSE) today or on Monday.

Other CSs in charge of critical ministries like Dr Fred Matiang’i will also remain in office.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is away attending the Africa-European Union (EU) High Level Forum in Vienna.