Taita-Taveta County government introduces new dress code for employees

VOI, KENYA: Taita-Taveta County Government has introduced new dress code for the county staff while on duty.

According to the County Chief of Staff who is also the Governor Granton Samboja's Private Secretary Philemon Mwaisaka the new code will see the employees dress decently.

The former Permanent Secretary said male workers would be required to put on suits and ties while on duty while the female staffs would not be allowed to put on "provocative dresses".

In a meeting with outgoing County Executive Committee (CEC) members and County Chief Officers, Mr Mwaisaka warned workers who fail to adhere to the new rules and regulations would face disciplinary action.

"We want to move away from the past where staff used to dress poorly. We have introduced the new dress code to ensure decorum in the public service," said the tough talking retired PS who does not tolerate untidiness in the public service.

"There will be no excuse for not being smart while on duty. There are cheap suits and ties for those workers who might not have them," said the once powerful District Commissioner during the retired President Daniel Arap Moi's regime.

At the same time Mwaisaka said the new administration would not tolerate lateness and truancy among the county staff. "It will not be as usual for county staff who report to work late as they would be disciplined," he warned.

The new dress code has however been received with mixed reactions by the workers and local residents. Those interviewed described the directive as too harsh and unattainable to the junior workers.

Reacting to the new directive, a cross section of the workers said the new dress code would not work.

"We are not opposed to the new law. The new administration should know that suits are expensive and unaffordable to the junior staffs who earn meager salaries," said the workers.