County Government Issues Stern Warning

The Siaya County Government has mandated that all civil servants who did not attend the Mashujaa Day celebrations on Monday, October 20, 2025, at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga grounds, submit written explanations for their absence. This directive comes after a notably low turnout, with fewer than 200 county staff present at the annual national event.

Siaya County Commissioner Mobert Komora expressed profound disappointment regarding the poor attendance, cautioning that government employees who deliberately skipped the event would face severe consequences. “Days of national celebrations are supposed to be observed by all civil servants. It is not their day to stay at home to watch television. They are supposed to be here,” Komora stated.

Addressing the gathering, Commissioner Komora instructed his deputy to conduct an immediate roll call of all government officers present. He further warned that failure to comply with the directive to provide written explanations would lead to the issuance of show-cause letters and subsequent disciplinary measures.

Komora challenged civil servants unwilling to serve Kenyans, particularly during national events like Mashujaa Day, to resign. “If they do not work for the government, or the Siaya County government, they can kindly tender their resignation letters; we will find other people who can work for the government,” he added.

Context of National Celebrations and Public Service Expectations

Mashujaa Day, observed annually on October 20, is a national holiday in Kenya dedicated to honouring heroes who have contributed to the nation's freedom, justice, and progress. This year's national celebrations were led by President William Ruto at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County.

The low turnout in Siaya was not an isolated incident, as similar observations were made in other regions, including Mombasa County. Mombasa County Commissioner Mohammed Nur attributed the low attendance in his county to the burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, which took place in Bondo, Siaya County, on Sunday, October 19, 2025.

The government had affirmed that Mashujaa Day celebrations would proceed as scheduled despite the national mourning period for the late Raila Odinga. Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura had called upon all Kenyans to participate in large numbers to celebrate the country's heroes and honour Odinga's memory.

Policy and Governance on Civil Servant Attendance

The Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Ministry of Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes emphasize the importance of civil servants' commitment to service delivery and adherence to public service regulations. The government has previously expressed concerns about punctuality and attendance among civil servants. In July 2025, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku announced plans to introduce attendance registers to track civil servants' presence at work as part of broader civil service reforms. He warned that late reporting or unexplained absences would result in disciplinary action.

Evidence and Data

• Mashujaa Day 2025 Attendance (Siaya County): Less than 200 county staff attended the celebrations at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga grounds.
• Date of Mashujaa Day 2025: Monday, October 20, 2025.
• National Mourning Period: A seven-day national mourning period was declared for the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was buried on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Bondo, Siaya County.

Risks and Implications

Non-compliance with the directive from the Siaya County Commissioner could lead to formal disciplinary actions, including show-cause letters, as outlined by Mobert Komora. Such measures could impact civil servants' employment status and career progression within the county government. The low turnout at national events could also be perceived as a lack of patriotism or commitment to public service, potentially affecting public perception of government institutions.

Uncertainties and Controversies

While the Siaya County Commissioner linked the low turnout to a lack of commitment, the broader context of national mourning for a prominent leader like Raila Odinga, particularly in his home county, presents a potential contributing factor to reduced public participation in other events. The extent to which the mourning period directly influenced civil servants' attendance in Siaya, as it did in Mombasa, remains a point of consideration.

What to Watch

The coming weeks will reveal the extent of compliance with the directive for written explanations and the nature of disciplinary actions, if any, taken against absent civil servants in Siaya County. This situation may also prompt further discussions on civil servant engagement in national events and the impact of national mourning periods on public gatherings.