Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has officially declared Friday, March 20, a public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr celebrations in Kenya.
The announcement was made through a special gazette notice issued on Wednesday night.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 (1) of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares that Friday, the 20th March, 2026, shall be a Public Holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr,” the notice read in part.
Holiday Marks End of Ramadan
The Idd-ul-Fitr public holiday in Kenya will allow the Muslim community to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
Ramadan is considered the holiest month in the Islamic calendar and is observed worldwide through fasting, prayer, reflection, and acts of charity.
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From dawn to sunset, Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and other indulgences as part of spiritual discipline and devotion.
Government Offices and Schools to Close
Following the declaration, government offices, schools, and most institutions, including banks, are expected to remain closed in observance of the religious holiday.
The Idd-ul-Fitr public holiday Kenya announcement ensures that Muslims across the country can mark the occasion with family, prayers, and celebrations.
Moon Sighting Confirmed Friday Celebration
Earlier, Health CS Aden Duale had indicated that the holiday would likely fall on Friday after the crescent moon of Shawwal 1447 was not sighted in Saudi Arabia.
The absence of the new moon meant that Ramadan would continue through Thursday, with Idd-ul-Fitr expected to begin on Friday.
Rare Overlap of Global Religious Celebrations
This year’s Ramadan, which began around February 18 following the sighting of the moon, has coincided with other major global observances. Notably, Ramadan, the Lunar New Year, and the Christian Lenten season all started within days of each other in February 2026.
The overlap has been described as a rare convergence of major religious and cultural events across the world.
Christians Continue Lenten Season
Meanwhile, Christians-particularly Catholics-remain in Lenten season, which is expected to culminate in early April with Easter celebrations.
Easter marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is one of the most significant events in the Christian calendar.
