Head of Public Service Felix Koskei informed all public servants on Thursday that they will not be able to commute their leave days and must use them all by the end of the fiscal year in 2023.
Koskei stated during a consultative meeting with ministries at the Kenya School of Government that most public servants have a tendency to hoard their leave days while commuting them into money, which he claims has aided corruption.
As a result, he stated that all public employees should begin taking their leave, as staff members will be allowed to carry forward only 15 days beginning June 30, 2024.
“You get people if they are told to go on leave now they will go for two years, others will go for six months and others 4. Why are you sticking in that office? The President, the Deputy President, the Prime CS go on leave what is this that you don’t want to happen in your office,” he said.
“There are people who have not gone for 250 days, 362 days, I just found out the other day…We cannot pay for corruption, inefficiency, someone who wants to load over others forever.”
Koskei also stated that the government will not tolerate those who refuse to leave their official duties, advising them that it will foster growth for other colleagues in various departments.
“Give others a breathing space also. Let us mentor others to take over from us by even giving them a chance to act for even 20 days and by so doing you will see those who are capable and when you are exiting you can say I have people to run this department,” he said.
“Go and call for all your leave balances and let everybody give a plan by 30th June that person will only have 15 days so agree. Those who have to go for one and a half years let them go.”
Every worker is entitled to at least 21 days of paid leave for every 12 months of employment, according to the Employment Act of 2007.
Employees are permitted to divide their leave days at various intervals throughout the year.
