
List of All Public Holidays In Kenya.
A public holiday is a National Day of Celebration or marking a certain event, whether historical or a current one. Public holidays are usually observed by every individual in the country, regardless of position, location, social status, or culture.
In Kenya, we have about 15 public holidays that are observed every year. During these holidays, all government offices remain closed and all services affiliated to the same remain suspended. Private sectors and corporates also observe public holidays and suspend their services. However, some private firms defy the government directives and continue to run their services during these holidays.
The most commonly observed public holiday in Kenya is arguably Christmas day, this is observed not only in Kenya but the world at large. During the Christmas season, the government, private firms, and corporates issue their employees with a one-week leave or so, to go and celebrate Christmas with their families. Other public holidays observed include Jamhuri day, Madaraka, and Mashujaa Days.
Let us look at the list of public holidays observed in Kenya every year.
New Year Day.
New Year’s Day is a public holiday celebrated to mark the start of a new year just after the Christmas celebrations of the preceding year. It usually comes on the same day as Christmas day as it appears exactly seven days after Christmas on the calendar.
During New Year’s Day, people celebrate and have fun as they welcome a new year. Just like Christmas day, people usually travel to their rural homes and reunite with their families to welcome the new year before going back to their normal routines after a few days.
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However, some communities used to believe that New Year Day should not be a day of celebration, but a day to wreck their farms and till, dig, plant as they welcome a new year with hard work. They believed that by doing this, the year would be a successful one full of good fortunes and a rich harvest. They also believed that working on this day would drive away laziness for the entire year.
Good Friday.
Good Friday comes just at the end of the Lenten season observed by the catholic and other distinguished churches. It is used to mark the day that Jesus Christ was Crucified, and died on the cross. The day is observed as a national holiday, and people are usually relieved of their duties temporarily on this day.
Easter Monday.
Just three days after Jesus was crucified and buried in a tomb, he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. This day is used to celebrate the rising of Jesus Christ from the dead, and as such is observed as a public holiday. Easter Monday is usually the Monday following the celebration of good Friday and is marked by people celebrating in churches and places of worship, and later at their homes.
Labour Day.
Every 1st of May, Kenyans take a break to celebrate national workers day. This day is used to mark and appreciate all workers who play a big role in the development of our country.
Madaraka Day.
Madaraka Day is celebrated on 1st June every year. This is the day that Kenya first tasted a small chunk of independence after being granted self-internal rule by the British colonial government in 1963. The colonials would later grant the country full independence on 12th December the same year, granting us full control of our land and resources.
Idd-ul-Fitr
During this day, Muslims mark the end of the holy month of Ramadhan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. Although only a small section of Kenyans are Muslims, this day is marked as a national holiday and all government offices remain closed.