Kenya to mark Eid ul-Adha on Friday as day declared public holiday

Muslims across Kenya will mark Eid ul-Adha on Friday June 6, 2025, following the government’s official declaration of the day as a public holiday.

In a gazette notice issued on Tuesday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the designation.

“It is notified for the general information of the public that Friday, 6th June 2025, shall be a public holiday to mark Eid-ul-Adha,” the notice read in part.

The announcement paves the way for celebrations in mosques and homes across the country as the Muslim community gathers for one of Islam’s most sacred festivals.

While Kenya will observe the holiday on Friday, Tanzania and Uganda are expected to mark Eid ul-Adha on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in line with their own moon sightings and religious calendars. Such variations are common across the Muslim world and reflect the decentralised method of determining Islamic calendar dates.

Although widely observed, the declaration of public holidays for Islamic festivals has, in the past, generated debate in Kenya’s pluralistic society. Some critics argue that religious holidays should not disrupt national schedules, especially in a secular state. Others raise concerns about the environmental and ethical aspects of ritual animal slaughter.

Eid ul-Adha, or the “Festival of Sacrifice,” commemorates the Qur’anic story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) who, in an act of devotion, was willing to sacrifice his son upon God’s command. At the last moment, God replaced the son with a ram, symbolising divine mercy and submission to faith.

Unlike Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, Eid ul-Adha is celebrated during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, making it especially significant to Muslims. Key rituals include early morning prayers, animal sacrifices (Qurbani), and the sharing of meat and meals with the less fortunate.