Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen appealed to Kenyans to keep the peace before the coordinated Saba Saba Day protests.

Speaking to the people in Meru County on Sunday, Murkomen was concerned by the trend towards the use of more and more violent protests where public institutions like police stations and courts have been burned.

He acknowledged the fact that the citizens have complained against police conduct during past protests but insisted that the police cannot be blamed alone for the turmoil.

“They say the police haven’t done this, the police haven’t done that,” he said. “But those who bring us trouble and those who use violence to do politics are the ones destroying our country.”

Murkomen also urged police officers to be professional in handling the organized Saba Saba Day protests, noting the government’s intention to keep the peace.

“I would like to assure Kenyans that our country, our ministry, and our government have a good intention to ensure that citizens endure and maintain peace,” Murkomen said. “We have no intention of harming anyone. Our intention is to ensure our country remains in peace.”

Following the rising fears of the possibility of unrest during the demos, several schools have instructed their students to stay home and go back to school on Tuesday.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, on the other hand, issued a stern directive to civil servants to come to work on Monday, July 7, disregarding the Saba Saba demos.

Speaking in Embu on Sunday, Ruku reminded the government employees that Monday is not a public holiday and all civil servants should report to work as scheduled.

“Monday is not a public holiday; all government employees should report to work without fail,” he stated.

“All public servants are expected to be at their workstations by 8:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m., per the 2016 Public Service HR policy and manual.”

CS Geoffrey Ruku used Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution to inform his directive, with integrity and accountability in public service being the focus..

He warned that he would personally conduct spot checks across government offices on Monday and said disciplinary action would follow for any absentees.

“Anyone who fails to report will have to produce a show-cause letter,” Ruku stated.