Phyllis Anyango Ouko, a long-serving civil servant at Harambee House, has been forced to spend several nights inside her office just to stop it from being demolished.
Her decision to stay there is not out of defiance, but out of desperation. She has been told to vacate her office on the first floor and move to the eighth floor, but for someone who uses a wheelchair, that’s not just an inconvenience it’s a direct threat to her safety.
According to Citizen TV, which reported the matter, Phyllis has refused to move because she fears what might happen if the lift breaks down during an emergency or power outage.
She says her efforts to get help from Felix Koskei, the Head of Public Service, have led nowhere.
“Ndio nakwambia this thing can fall anytime… I can’t get out because I’m being timed like a rat. Orders have been given; the moment she gets out of there, demolish the office,” she told journalists.
Her words paint a picture of a woman abandoned by the very system she has served for over 20 years.
Phyllis currently holds the position of Secretary, Administration in the Ministry of Interior.
All other offices around her have already been cleared out, with walls torn down to make way for renovations.
Hers is the only one still intact, and only because she hasn’t left.
She says the reason for the forced relocation is because Felix Koskei wants the entire floor to himself.
“The head of civil service wants the entire floor to himself. He’s not budging. He wants a bigger office that befits his stature. At least those who were there before listened,” Phyllis stated.
These claims raise serious concerns about whether people with disabilities are being sidelined in the name of ego and space.
“What if there is an emergency? Who will carry me down? The lift was disabled when I got here, and I had to be carried up the stairs. We almost fell,” she said.
This is not just about office space. It is about the safety and dignity of a person who depends on proper infrastructure to function. Even after explaining her needs and concerns, Phyllis says nothing has been done.
“Why not even move me to the third or fourth floors?” she asked.
With no one taking action, she has had to spend the last three nights sleeping in her office.
“That’s why I’m here to speak out, because nobody is listening, nobody is fighting for me. I’ve struggled to get where I am. It’s not been easy.”
Her story is a sad reminder of how people in positions of power like Felix Koskei can ignore the very laws and policies they are supposed to uphold.
In May this year, President William Ruto signed the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025 into law.
The law is meant to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities in Kenya.
The Constitution also clearly states in Article 54(2) that the State must make sure at least five per cent of people in public appointments are persons with disabilities. Yet, as recent reports show, only 1.8% of the public service workforce are persons with disabilities.
That is still far below the target.The Disability Policy & Guidelines for the Public Service also makes it clear that public officers with disabilities must be posted to work environments that are safe and accessible.
It even mentions the need for emergency measures to help such officers evacuate safely if needed. But looking at what Phyllis is going through, it’s clear that these guidelines are not being followed.
The responsibility lies squarely with leaders like Felix Koskei. Instead of bulldozing his way into a bigger office, he should be leading by example in creating an inclusive workplace.
The treatment Phyllis is receiving sends the wrong message to other public servants with disabilities.
