A senior civil servant stationed at Harambee House in Nairobi has caused a stir after refusing to vacate her office, citing discrimination and safety risks tied to her disability. The ongoing standoff has brought renewed attention to accessibility violations in government offices.
Phyllis Anyango Ouko, an administrative secretary who has served in the Office of the President for over two decades, has stayed inside her ground-floor office for three consecutive nights in protest. This follows an internal directive to vacate her first-floor office in favor of the eighth floor, to pave way for renovation works.
♿ DISABILITY CONCERNS AT CENTER OF RELOCATION STANDOFF
Ouko, who uses a wheelchair, says the move is not only inconsiderate but also puts her life and safety at risk. Speaking to Citizen TV, she alleged that the relocation order ignores her mobility challenges and could leave her trapped during a power outage or elevator malfunction.
“I’ve asked what emergency plans are in place to assist me if the elevator fails, but no one has given me answers,” she stated.
In her account, the eighth floor is inaccessible and isolated, and she fears being stuck there without assistance. She further argues that there are vacant, more accessible offices that have not been considered for her relocation.
🏛️ LOCKED INSIDE HARAMBEE HOUSE TO PREVENT EVICTION
Ouko told the press that she has been locking herself inside her current office to prevent being forcefully evicted. She claims her belongings and official documents are still inside and alleges that the move is driven by malice.
“I’m being tracked like a rat. If I step out, they will demolish my office. The President wants the entire floor,” she told reporters.
Her refusal to leave has sparked public debate over the treatment of persons with disabilities in government workplaces, especially within high-profile state buildings.
⚖️ PUBLIC POLICY VIOLATIONS AND KOSKEI’S SILENCE
Ouko says she reached out to Chief of Staff Felix Koskei, seeking an alternative arrangement, but her concerns have been ignored.
According to Kenya’s Disability Policy & Guidelines for the Public Service, all government agencies must ensure that workplace environments are suitable for public officers with disabilities. The policy specifically requires:
“Every public service institution shall ensure the workstation and work environment are conducive to public officers with disabilities… Emergency measures shall also be put in place to safely evacuate them in case of danger.”
Despite this, Ouko says her safety concerns have been dismissed, even as the building undergoes upgrades that she says were proposed during former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s tenure, including improvements to Harambee Annex, Karen, and Mombasa residences.
CALL FOR JUSTICE AND INCLUSIVE WORKPLACES
Phyllis Ouko’s case is shedding light on systemic barriers faced by people with disabilities in Kenya’s civil service. Her protest is not only about physical relocation—it has become a symbol of resistance against exclusion, neglect, and lack of empathy in public institutions.
She now wants Koskei and other senior officials to intervene and ensure fair, accessible treatment aligned with Kenya’s disability laws.
“No one is listening. I’ve struggled to get here despite my disability. I deserve to be treated with dignity,” she said.
As the situation continues to unfold, activists and disability rights groups are calling for a full audit of accessibility in government offices and urgent action to address discrimination in deployment decisions.
