This archive report was first published on 28 October 2019.
Kenya's Interior Ministry has clarified that October 28 is not a public holiday, despite claims circulating on social media.
On Friday, the ministry, headed by Fred Matiang'i, issued a statement dismissing the claims as 'fake'.
According to the ministry, a gazette notice circulating on social media was a hoax, and Kenyans were asked to report to work as usual.
However, some citizens have expressed their disappointment, with one Twitter user, Brian Agol Obanda, responding to the ministry's tweet by emblazoning 'FAKE' across it.
Another citizen, Khaemba Wandabusi, believes the ministry is playing a practical joke on citizens, saying, 'You won't prank us, we all know it's a holiday!'
Diwali, marked by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs as 'the festival of lights when people worship to erase all darkness from one's life,' is a five-day celebration that usually falls in late October or early November.
In Kenya, the event is marked with fireworks at night and those observing the holiday visiting their various temples.
Monday, October 28, 2019, is not a public holiday, as Hindus and Sikhs mark Diwali, the Interior ministry has said, publishing this clarification on October 28, 2019.
