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Public holidays in Kenya

Next public holiday

27 May 2026Wednesday — Eid al-Adha *

Kenya observes national, religious and special gazetted public holidays under the Public Holidays Act (Cap. 110).

* Religious holiday declared following lunar sightings or faith observances.

** Holiday designated specifically for members of a particular faith community.

† Ad-hoc or special national holiday declared through a Gazette Notice by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for Interior.

Understanding public holidays in Kenya

Public holidays in Kenya are governed by the Employment Act, 2007 and the Public Holidays Act (Cap. 110).

How public holidays are declared

Permanent public holidays are established in law. Additional or one-off holidays may be declared through an official Gazette Notice issued by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for Interior and National Administration.

Once a holiday has been gazetted, it carries the same legal effect as any other national public holiday.

Employee rights on public holidays

  • Employees are entitled to a paid day off on public holidays.
  • Employers cannot deduct salary because a workplace closes for a holiday.
  • If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a public holiday automatically.
  • Holidays falling on Saturdays do not automatically shift unless officially gazetted.

Working during a public holiday

Employees working on a public holiday may receive:

  • Double pay for hours worked, or
  • An alternative paid day off (time off in lieu), where agreed.

Religious and community holidays

Some holidays, such as Diwali, may be designated specifically for members of a particular faith community.

Holiday schedules

Public holidays in 2026

DateDayHoliday
1 January 2026ThursdayNew Year's Day
20 March 2026FridayEid al-Fitr *
3 April 2026FridayGood Friday
6 April 2026MondayEaster Monday
1 May 2026FridayLabour Day
27 May 2026WednesdayEid al-Adha *
1 June 2026MondayMadaraka Day
10 October 2026SaturdayMazingira Day
20 October 2026TuesdayMashujaa Day
8 November 2026SundayDiwali **
12 December 2026SaturdayJamhuri Day
25 December 2026FridayChristmas Day
26 December 2026SaturdayBoxing Day

Public holidays in 2027

DateDayHoliday
1 January 2027FridayNew Year's Day
10 March 2027WednesdayEid al-Fitr *
26 March 2027FridayGood Friday
29 March 2027MondayEaster Monday
1 May 2027SaturdayLabour Day
17 May 2027MondayEid al-Adha *
1 June 2027TuesdayMadaraka Day
10 August 2027TuesdayGeneral Election Day †
10 October 2027SundayMazingira Day
11 October 2027MondayMazingira Day Substitute Holiday
20 October 2027WednesdayMashujaa Day
29 October 2027FridayDiwali **
12 December 2027SundayJamhuri Day
13 December 2027MondayJamhuri Day Substitute Holiday

Public holidays in 2028

DateDayHoliday
1 January 2028SaturdayNew Year's Day
3 January 2028MondayNew Year Substitute Holiday
26 February 2028SaturdayEid al-Fitr *
14 April 2028FridayGood Friday
17 April 2028MondayEaster Monday
1 May 2028MondayLabour Day
5 May 2028FridayEid al-Adha *
1 June 2028ThursdayMadaraka Day
10 October 2028TuesdayMazingira Day
20 October 2028FridayMashujaa Day
17 November 2028FridayDiwali **
12 December 2028TuesdayJamhuri Day

Past public holidays

Holidays are listed from December backwards to January for easier reference.

2025

DateHoliday
26 December 2025Boxing Day
25 December 2025Christmas Day
12 December 2025Jamhuri Day
20 October 2025Mashujaa Day / Diwali **
10 October 2025Mazingira Day
6 June 2025Eid al-Adha *
2 June 2025Madaraka Day Substitute Holiday
1 May 2025Labour Day
21 April 2025Easter Monday
18 April 2025Good Friday
31 March 2025Eid al-Fitr *
1 January 2025New Year's Day

Legal notice

Public holiday dates may change following official Gazette Notices, moon sightings, court decisions or special national declarations by the Government of Kenya.

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