This archive report was first published on 8 August 2019.
Kenya has declared a public holiday on August 12, 2019, to mark the significant Islamic event of Idd-ul-Adha.
According to a gazette notice signed by Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang'i, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government, the public holiday is declared under the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act.
As stated in the notice, 'It is notified for the general information of the public that, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government declares that Tuesday, the 12th August, 2019 be a public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Azha.'
Idd-ul-Adha marks the culmination of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims. The pilgrimage is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims, requiring all adult Muslims capable of undertaking the journey to do so at least once in their lifetime.
Published on August 8, 2019, this announcement is a significant event for the Muslim community in Kenya.
