Gazetted public holidays in Kenya: the complete list in 2024

Public holidays are essential components of numerous nations’ cultures. These days give people a break from work to commemorate the reasons for holidays. There are more than ten gazetted public holidays in Kenya in 2024. These include international, national, and religious holidays.

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Numerous Kenyans often look forward to public holidays because they offer them time off work and school. If a holiday falls on a Friday or Monday, it automatically lengthens the weekend, giving people more time to engage in off-work and off-school activities. It is important for all citizens to know about the public holidays in Kenya in 2024.

Gazetted public holidays in Kenya in 2024

The table below shows the list of all the gazetted public holidays in Kenya in 2024.

How many public holidays are there in Kenya in 2024?

The country has 12 gazetted public holidays. Kindly note that additional holidays may be announced when and if necessary. In 2024, for example, Friday, 10th May 2024, was a one-time holiday aimed at showing solidarity with people adversely affected by cyclic floods and droughts in recent times. It was acknowledged as "National Tree Growing Day".

Public holidays in Kenya and their meanings

Below is an exploration of the 12 gazetted public holidays in the country. Some of them are national holidays, while the others are public or international.

New Year - 1st January

New Year's day is an international public holiday celebrated on 1st January each year. It marks the beginning of a new year.

The holiday is celebrated worldwide. The countdown varies due to the difference in time zones.

Good Friday - March or April

Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday or Great Friday, is a significant Christian holiday to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. The dates for the holidays vary from year to year.

The day is marked on the immediate Friday before Easter Sunday and often falls on the first full moon of the Paschal calendar after the 21st of March.

The date is significant because it is taken to be the date of the vernal equinox. Sometimes, Good Friday coincides with Passover in the Jewish religion.

Easter holiday – March or April

The Easter Sunday holiday is also known as Pascha in Greek and Latin. The day marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It is celebrated on a Sunday, which means Kenyans get a break from work and school the Monday after. Traditionally, Easter Sunday falls on the first full moon of the Paschal calendar after the 21st of March. The exact dates for Easter holiday differ each year.

Eid al Fitr – Date depending upon the appearance of the moon

Eid al Fitr is one of the official Islamic holidays observed in the country and other parts of the world.

The day marks the end of Ramadhan and the start of Shawwal. Eid al Fitr dates differ every year depending on the sighting of the moon.

Non-Muslim Kenyans take time off work and school to recognise their Muslim counterparts who celebrate the day by attending communal prayers, feasting, and handing charity to the less privileged.

Labour Day - 1st May

Labour Day is an international holiday that is marked on 1st May every year. It is marked annually to celebrate workers' achievements.

The day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement. The movement advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.

Madaraka Day - 1st June

Madaraka Day is one of the national celebrations in Kenya. Every 1st June, the country celebrates Madaraka, or the day the nation attained self-rule and full control over its internal affairs from the colonial rulers.

The country attained partial independence on this day in 1963. On 12th December 1964, it became a fully established republic.

Eid al Adha – June

Eid al Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is another important day in the Islamic calendar. This special day commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his only son, Ismael, to Allah.

Eid al Adha is a public holiday in the country. Its actual date is determined by the lunar cycle. Usually, it is marked on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.

Mazingira Day - 10th October

Mazingira day was previously known as Huduma Day. Huduma Day replaced Moi Day, a celebration that was used to commemorate former president Daniel Moi? Moi Day was scrapped from the list of gazetted public holidays in Kenya following the declaration of the new constitution.

For the next seven years after the constitution was promulgated, Kenyans did not celebrate the day. Later, a ruling by Justice George Odunga reinstated the holiday. Huduma Day was established to encourage acts of service to others, and was later renamed Mazingira Day.

Mashujaa Day – 20th October

Mashujaa Day is celebrated on 20th October every year. It honours Kenyan forefathers or heroes who fought for the country's independence from the British colonialists.

Initially, the day was known as Kenyatta Day in honour of the country’s first president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. The 20th October holiday in Kenya was renamed after the promulgation of the new constitution.

Jamhuri Day - 12th December

The term Jamhuri is of Swahili origin and means republic. This is the day Kenyans commemorate Kenya’s attainment of independence, which happened on 12th December 1964.

Even though Kenya attained self-rule on 1st June 1963, it was on the 12th December 1964 that the nation became fully independent of the British.

Christmas Day - 25th December

Christmas Day is an international public holiday marked by billions of people globally. The date marks the birth of Jesus Christ and is one of the most important dates for Christians.

In Kenya, Christmas day is considered a special time for Kenyans to spend with their families, and it is the one time most people travel to their rural homes.

Boxing day - 26th December

Boxing Day is marked the day after Christmas. Boxing Day is an international holiday on which the poor traditionally were presented with gifts.

How many public holidays are there in Kenya each year?

There are 12 gazetted public holidays in Kenya.

Is Diwali a public holiday in Kenya?

Diwali is the most festive holiday of the year for Hindus. In Kenya, it is an optional holiday.

Which country has the most public holidays in Africa?

Egypt has the highest number of public holidays annually. The country has 22 public holidays in each financial year.

Is Huduma Day a public holiday?

Yes, Huduma Day is a national public holiday in Kenya. It is marked every 10th October to encourage acts of service among residents and citizens.

What happens when a public holiday falls on a Saturday in Kenya?

When a public holidays falls on a Saturday, it is automatically moved to Monday.

What happens when a public holiday falls on a Sunday in Kenya?

Just like Saturday, if a public holiday lands on a Sunday, the following non-holiday weekday becomes the new public holiday, and the originally designated Sunday ceases to be a public holiday.

Is 2nd January 2024 a public holiday in Kenya?

January 2nd, 2024 is not a public holiday in Kenya. The only public holiday observed in Kenya is on January 1st which is New Year's Day.

Is Ramadan a public holiday in Kenya?

Ramadan itself is not a public holiday in Kenya. It is the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer. During the holy month, Muslims get an excellent opportunity to enhance their spiritual growth and nourishment both mentally and spiritually.

What is the holiday bill in Kenya?

There was a recent bill in Kenya called the Public Holidays (Amendment) Bill, 2023. According to the bill, if a public holiday listed in Part 1 of the schedule lands on a Tuesday, the day before, which isn't already a public holiday, will also become one.

Similarly, if the holiday falls on a Thursday, the following day, which isn't already a public holiday, will also be considered a public holiday. In January 2024, a Senate committee rejected this bill.

How to declare a public holiday in Kenya?

The authority to declare a public holiday in Kenya lies with the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration. They can do this under the Public Holidays Act (CAP. 110).

Gazetted public holidays in Kenya are an integral aspect of the nation’s beliefs, history, and religions. Each has a unique meaning. For most people, these days present the ideal opportunities to handle tasks outside work and school.

Tuko.co.ke recently published details about Kenya Army ranks, salaries, and allowances. The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) was established in 2010 under the Ministry of Defense.

The military force constitutes the Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, and the Kenya Air Force. Ranks and salaries are based on the candidates' level of education and years of experience.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

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