This archive report was first published on 20 May 2020.
Kenya has joined the global community in celebrating Idd-ul-Fitr, a significant Islamic holiday marking the end of the Holy month of Ramadhan. The celebrations come amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced thousands of faithful to observe the festivities away from mosques.
On May 20, 2020, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i declared Monday, May 25, 2020, a public holiday to allow Muslims to celebrate Idd-ul-Fitr. This declaration was made in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 (1) of the Public Holidays Act.
According to a special gazette notice, the declaration states: "It is notified for the general information of the public that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 (1) of Public Holidays Act, declares that Monday, the 25th May, 2020, shall be a Public Holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr."
Kenya had registered 1,029 positive cases for COVID-19 and 50 fatalities by May 20, 2020, with public gatherings banned in the country a few days after the first case of the virus was announced in mid-March.
