Today's Headlines
- Lessons and Implications of the Confirmation of Charges Against Kenya's 'Ocampo Four'
- Finance Minister Quits Over ICC Charges
- Shortage of HIV Test Kits Raises Concerns
- Living On the Edge in Turkana Region
- Ali Breaks Silence, Describes Delight At Acquittal
- Uhuru, Ruto Eligible for Presidency - CIC
- Tea Sector Posts Record Earnings in 2011
- Resettle IDPs, Urges Annan
- Uhuru, Muthaura Have Done the Right Thing
- All Displaced People Should Return Home
- Concern Raised As Parents Shun Schools in Poll Violence Hotspots
- Ruling On IEBC Hiring in February
- Country Working Towards Conditions Needed for Direct Flights to U.S.
- How ICC Claimed Kibaki's Lieutenants
- Geothermal Project to Receive Sh10 Billion Funding Boost
- Five Million to Get IDs Before Elections
- Speed Up Building Port
- Uhuru and Muthaura Did Well to Quit Posts
- A Full Plate Awaits Githae
- Clashes Continue in Moyale
- Baraza Case to Be Heard Monday
- Two Firms in Joint Venture to Drill for Oil Near Lodwar
- Exit Uhuru, Muthaura
- ICC Charges Hound Uhuru Out of Treasury
- Consumers Grow Despite Inflation
- Poor Relations Between Banks Blamed for Cash Shortages
- Fish Prices Up As Vegetable Supply Dwindles
- Consumers to Pay More for Milk and Bread As Prices Rise
- Kibaki Tasks Ex-Dar CJ to Lead Probe in Kenya
- Mombasa Port Cargo Congestion Forces Three-Month Fees Waiver
Justus Ondari
3 August 2010
Nairobi — Most businesses are closed Wednesday across the country as Kenyans decide on the fate of the proposed new constitution.
With President Kibaki declaring Wednesday a public holiday, government operations are definitely unavailable as public servants take part in the referendum by both voting and providing other essential services like security.
On its part, the business community said it felt it was their duty to facilitate their employees to exercise their democratic rights by voting during the referendum by not operating on Wednesday.
"We had recommended that all people be allowed to go and exercise their democratic right," Mr Vimal Shah, former chairman of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers told the Daily Nation.
"Even those discharging essential services will operate in shifts so that they can vote in turns," said Mr Shah who is also the Bidco Oil Refineries chief executive.
"It is a duty for them to close because it is a presidential decree that today is a public holiday and the referendum is a matter of national importance," Central Organisation of Trade Unions Francis Atwoli said.
In his characteristic abrasive manner he, however, said some businesses had not given their employees a break to vote before returning to work.
"They are breaching a presidential decree and the government should take action against them," said the trade unionist.
For those who like utilising the holiday period to do their shopping, today will find their alternatives limited with most supermarkets closed throughout the day.
Uchumi Supermarkets was the first to announce on Thursday last week that it will remain closed.
"We cannot afford to inconvenience our staff, suppliers and customers in their quest to exercise their democratic right," said Uchumi Supermarket chief executive, Mr Jonathan Ciano.
"That is why we felt it was our duty not only to close for one day, but also alert them well in advance," he said.
Nakumatt Supermarkets followed suit by placing an advertisement in the daily newspapers on Wednesday, informing its suppliers and shoppers of the closure.
"All branches will remain closed on Wednesday August 4, 2010," the supermarkets chain said in the advert.
The giant retailer, which has branches in most of the major towns in Kenya, said its 24-hour outlets close on Wednesday at 6am before opening like all others on Thursday August 5 at 8.30am.
Others like Tuskys, Ukwala and Naivas supermarkets are also not operating on Wednesday.
