Kenya has approximately twelve nationally recognized public holidays. Here is a list of these holidays along with their dates and descriptions:
Public Holidays in Kenya
- New Year’s Day – 1 January
- Celebrates the first day of the year.
- Good Friday – Varies (based on the Christian calendar)
- Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
- Easter Monday – Varies (the day after Easter Sunday)
- Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- Labour Day – 1 May
- Honors workers and the labor movement.
- Madaraka Day – 1 June
- Commemorates the day Kenya attained internal self-rule in 1963.
- Eid al-Fitr – Varies (depends on the sighting of the moon)
- Marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
- Eid al-Adha – Varies (depends on the sighting of the moon)
- Commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.
- Mazingira Day – 10 October
- Formerly known as Utamaduni Day, Huduma Day, and Moi Day. This day focuses on environmental conservation and cultural heritage.
- Mashujaa Day – 20 October
- Also known as Heroes’ Day, it honors those who contributed towards the struggle for Kenya’s independence.
- Jamhuri Day – 12 December
- Marks the date of Kenya’s establishment as a republic on 12 December 1964.
- Christmas Day – 25 December
- Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
- Boxing Day (Utamaduni Day in Kenya) – 26 December
- Traditionally a day for giving gifts to the less fortunate, known as Utamaduni Day in Kenya, focusing on culture and heritage.
These holidays are widely celebrated across the country and reflect Kenya’s diverse cultural and religious heritage.
