State House through the head of public service Joseph Kinyua has banned all foreign travels by government officials.
In a letter addressed to Cabinet secretaries, the Attorney General and Principal Secretaries, Kinyua says no government official will be allowed to leave the country without clearance by the president.
“This is to notify you that it has been decided, until further advised otherwise, no government official will travel outside the country without clearance by the president,” reads part of the letter which is also copied to the Director of Immigration Gordon Kihalangwa.
“For avoidance of any doubt, the officials in reference include Cabinet secretaries, Principal Secretaries and officers in ministries, chief executive officers of parastatals and their officers and Board of Directors of parastatals,” the letter bearing September 13 date adds, according to the Daily Nation.
The government often curbs foreign travel by its officers but it is not yet what led to this reminder.
The letter, however, is not addressed to independent offices and constitutional commissions.
This development comes just a month after IEBC commissioner Roselyne Akombe was forced to spend the night at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after the state stopped her from traveling.
Dr. Akombe was traveling to New York on official duties when immigration officers refused to clear her citing "instructions from above."
She was later cleared to travel and the immigration department apologised for preventing her to board a plane.
Shortly after, human rights activist Maina Kiai was also temporarily blocked by immigration officials.
