There are several Public
Holidays in Kenya.
Most of them are annual international and national public holidays, which occur
on particular fixed dates of the month.
Others like Easter and Idi-el-fitr occur on irregular dates and times of the year. These are determined by different factors.
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National public holidays in Kenya are Madaraka Day – 1 June, Heroes Day (Formerly Kenyatta Day) 20 October, Jamhuri Day (Independence Day) 12 December. International public holidays observed in Kenya are Christmas and Boxing Days (25 & 26 December). Others are New Year’s Day (January 1); Easter holiday (Friday to Monday); and Labor Day (May 1); Id-el-fitr. |
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Christmas is a Christian
celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s marked on December 25th
every calendar year.
Christmas in Africa is big. It’s the most popular and biggest holiday
in Kenya.
This is in line with most
of the companies closing work for the holidays. They give about a two week
Christmas holiday to their staff.
X-mas comes back-to-back
with Boxing Day (26 December). This is followed closely by the New Year’s Day,
which comes five days after Christmas, on 1st January.
Easter is celebrated by
Christians who mark Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on
Easter Monday.
Easter is the second most popular and long holiday in Kenya.
This makes it ideal for a long weekend holiday getaway.
Idi-el-fitr holiday is celebrated
by the Muslim community in Kenya
marking the end of Ramadan. Its date depends on the sighting of the moon and shifts
every year.
The feast goes on for three days but only the first day is given as a public holiday.
Jamhuri, Madaraka and
Mashujaa Days are the important National Public Holidays in Kenya.
Jamhuri Day (Kenya’s Independence Day) is celebrated on 12 December
marking Kenya’s
independence from British rule in 1963.
Madaraka Day celebrates Kenya’s
Self-Rule achieved in 1963 from the British who occupied our country.
Mashujaa Day or Heroes Day
(Formerly Kenyatta Day) is a day for honoring all the heroes that struggled for
Kenya’s
independence. It’s also a day for honoring those who have excelled in
contributing to national issues.
These National holidays are marked by festivities in all the 47 counties in Kenya. Nairobi hosts the National event attended by the President of the Republic Of Kenya.
There is entertainment and pomp, before the President addresses the nation. He
touches on what makes the day and then outlines what his government is up to.
Christmas in Africa is an exciting time of the year. Most people travel upcountry for Christmas and Easter holidays. The celebrations bring families and
friends together. They eat, drink and make merry. Those who are well off take holidays at the beach resorts, in Kenya hotels, and Safari lodges. |
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Public holidays in Kenya can fall on a weekday or weekend. When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, then Monday automatically becomes a holiday compensating Sunday which is normally a resting day. |
Other public holidays in Kenya are
observed as and when they arise. These public holidays are declared by the Kenya
government.
They consist of matters
touching on the Republic
Of Kenya. The general
elections day is one of these.
The Kenya government might declare a public holiday anytime an important national matter warrants.
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