Ministry of Interior on Friday, March 17, flagged a viral Gazette Notice that purported to declare Monday as a Public Holiday.
The gazette notice was alleged to have been signed by Interior CS, Kithure Kindiki, in line with former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga's, mass action declaration.
Kenyans were thus allegedly granted the holiday to attend the mass action called by Azimio La Umoja.
"It is notified for general information that in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 3 as read with section 2 (2) of the Public Holidays Act (Cap. 110), the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government declares Monday, 20th March, 2023 a public holiday marking Mass Action Day," the fake notice claimed.
The Ministry reiterated that March 20, was a normal working day, contrary to the opposition's demands.
In a joint interview with Mount Kenya vernacular Radio and TV stations, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua noted that Raila has no power within the law to declare a Public Holiday.
While responding to Narc-Kenya Leader Martha Karua's request for a Public Holiday, Raila, on Tuesday, March 14, noted that Azimio supporters were granted the chance to participate in the mass action.
“We ask you, your excellency, to declare that day [Monday, 20 March] a public holiday so we can get on with this matter [anti-govt demos]. We can’t have rigged elections year in, year out," Karua requested.
Raila immediately heeded Karua's pleas, declaring, "I hereby now declare today in the name of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance Coalition that Monday the 20th of March will be a public holiday."
His declaration of a Public Holiday drew mixed reactions from Kenyans, including the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, who asked employees to ignore Azimio La Umoja's call for mass action.
"You cannot be walking around telling people you want somebody to observe the rule of law and you yourself are so blatantly breaking the same, giving fictitious declarations that have no legal basis," Mudavadi stated.
Mudavadi urged Azimio La Umoja leaders to table their concerns through the right channels and build a nation anchored by the rule of law.
