Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on Thursday told all public servants that they will not be allowed to commute their leave days and will need to exhaust them before the end of the 2023 financial year.

Speaking during a consultative meeting with ministries at the Kenya School of Government, Koskei said that most public servants have the tendency to hoard their leave days while commuting them into money which he says has been aiding corruption.

He therefore said that all public servants should begin going for their leave as staff members will be allowed to carry forward only 15 days starting 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 further noted that the government will not condone those who avoid leaving 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.”

According to the Employment Act of 2007, every worker is entitled to at least 21 days of paid leave per 12 months of employment.

Employees are allowed to divide the leave days at different intervals across the year.

By Fred Odanga.