The question most Kenyans have been asking since the week began is: Is Friday, June 6 a public holiday? Well, Kenyans can now exhale. The answer is yes.
In a Gazette Notice released on Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen officially declared Friday, June 6, 2025, a public holiday to mark Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice.
The announcement was made under Section 2 (1) of the Public Holidays Act, giving Muslims across the country the green light to prepare for one of the most sacred festivals in Islam.
What Is Eid-ul-Adha?
Eid-ul-Adha is the second of the two major Islamic festivals, the other being Eid al-Fitr, which follows the holy month of Ramadan. This particular festival falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijja, the final month of the Islamic calendar. The celebrations typically stretch across three more days, known as the Tashreeq days.
This holiday commemorates a significant moment in Islamic tradition — when Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) showed his willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command. At the last moment, God provided a ram for the sacrifice instead. The act of sacrifice (Qurbani) continues to be the central ritual of Eid-ul-Adha to this day.
How Is Eid-ul-Adha Celebrated?
While the spirit of the holiday is rooted in deep religious meaning, the way it’s observed brings together communities through prayer, charity, and shared meals.
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The Eid Prayer
Celebrations begin early in the morning. Muslims perform a special ritual bath known as ghusl, dress in their best clothes — often new or freshly cleaned — and head to the mosque or open prayer grounds for the Eid prayer (Salaah).
This prayer is unique. It includes extra takbirs — repeated declarations of “Allahu Akbar” — and sets a spiritual tone for the day. Afterward, people exchange greetings like Eid Mubarak, hug, laugh, and begin the day’s festivities.
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The Sacrifice – Qurbani
At the heart of Eid-ul-Adha lies the Qurbani ritual. This is when Muslims who can afford it sacrifice a halal animal — usually a goat, sheep, cow, or camel — to honour Prophet Ibrahim’s faith.
But it’s not just about the act itself. It’s done with intention (niyyah) and humility. The person performing the sacrifice says “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest) as the animal is slaughtered. It’s a deeply spiritual moment.
The meat is then divided into three parts:
- One third for the family,
- One third for friends and relatives,
- And one third for the poor and needy.
This act of sharing embodies the values of compassion, equality, and gratitude — all central to Islamic teachings.
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Spreading Joy Through Giving
Beyond prayer and sacrifice, Eid-ul-Adha is a time for building and strengthening relationships. Families and friends come together to cook, eat, and share stories. It’s also a time when many Muslims engage in charity, either by directly giving Qurbani meat or through other acts of kindness like feeding street children or supporting neighbours in need.
Communities also come alive during this period, with mosques and local organisations stepping up to distribute meat to the underprivileged, clean up the neighbourhood, or offer free meals to anyone who walks in hungry.
Why It Matters for Kenya
Kenya has a large Muslim population, especially in regions like the Coast, North Eastern, and parts of Nairobi. Declaring Eid-ul-Adha as a public holiday gives the community a chance to fully observe their faith traditions without disruption.
The recognition also highlights Kenya’s commitment to religious inclusivity and unity, showing that while we may be diverse, we move together.
