Public Service Minister Geoffrey Ruku expressed shock during his visit to Garissa on Thursday morning after finding many government offices closed and staff absent from work.
Minister Ruku arrived in Garissa the night before Thursday and reached the offices in the morning. He found the entire building with only one officer present and many doors locked.
He noted that offices should open at 7:30 a.m. under the 2016 guidelines for the North Eastern region. A two-hour midday break is allowed to enable Muslims to pray.
North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno was absent as he was in Wajir overseeing preparations for Madaraka Day celebrations scheduled for June 1, 2026.
The minister stressed that staff must remain diligent after the government raised their salaries effective July 1, 2025.