President Uhuru Kenyatta’s releases controversial orders ahead of Raila’s mass action set for Monday
President Uhuru Kenyatta, the current leader of Jubilee party, has instructed the staff members to take a leave of absence from work on March 20th as per the directive of Raila Odinga, the leader of One Kenya Alliance, in accordance with Azimio la Umoja.
In a staff memo by Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, the staff has been told to consider Monday a public holiday.
“As such, our Headquarters at Jubilee House, Kileleshwa as well as all our county, constituency and ward offices will remain closed,” read the memo in part.
Kioni in addition urged the party officials and members to turn up and show support for the people’s grand march on Monday.
On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, Raila unlawfully declared Monday, March 20, 2023, a public holiday.
At the time, Raila who was speaking during a political rally noted that his supporters will not be working on that day.
“I hereby declare, in the name of Azimio one Kenya Alliance, We declare that Monday, March 20 will be a public holiday,” Raila said.
The declaration by the former premier came after a request by Narc Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua who asked him to make the declaration to enable all working Azimio supporters to participate in the demos.
She had said: “I am requesting Raila to declare that day a public holiday to allow us to complete this work. We cannot keep having elections rigging every year, it has to stop.”
“The people must use their constitutional right to ensure that they allow the person who was chosen by the people to take over the leadership of the country. Let us join the rally to save this nation. This fight is for the people of Kenya,” Karua added.
The holiday he said is to allow Kenyans to participate in planned demonstrations with the destination set for the State House.
Despite Odinga’s declaration, the Kenyan Constitution only allows the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior to declare a public holiday.
