Interior CS Kithure Kindiki declared Wednesday, June 28, as a public holiday to mark Eid-Ul-Adha (Idd-Ul-Azha).
In a Special Gazette Notice dated Monday, June 26, the CS noted that the declaration is in line with the Public Holidays Act.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 (2) and part II of the schedule, as read with section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares that Wednesday, June 28, 2023, shall be a public holiday to mark Eid-Ul-Adha (Idd-Ul-Azha),” the statement read in part.
Defence CS Aden Duale lauded Kindiki for acknowledging the holiday and subsequent proclamation.
“My sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Government, through my colleague CS – Interior, Prof Kindiki Kithure for the recognition and proclamation of June 28, 2023, as a public holiday to mark Eid-Ul-Adha,” he stated.
According to section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, dates determined in accordance with the Islamic faith, are to be declared public holidays.
Eid-Ul-Adha
Known as the festival of sacrifice, the holiday is celebrated to honour the devotion of Abraham and Ishmael according to the Islamic faith. The festival marks the climax of the Pilgrimage – the fifth pillar of Islam.
In the Islamic calendar, there are two key celebration festivals; Eid-ul-Fitr which symbolises the completion of the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Adha which follows the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated on April 21, 2023, following a special Gazette Notice issued by the Ministry of Interior.
The Islamic culture believes that it was during the month of Ramadhan that the Qur’an text was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
During the special occasion, believers share food and other gifts with the less fortunate in various communities. They also convene in various places of worship to break the fast.
