Kenya's public holidays and how extra ones are declared
Ministry of Interior and National Administration · sources read 3 Oct 2026
Kenya's fixed public holidays are New Year's Day (1 Jan), Labour Day (1 May), Madaraka Day (1 Jun), Mazingira Day (10 Oct), Mashujaa Day (20 Oct), Jamhuri Day (12 Dec), Christmas (25 Dec) and Boxing Day (26 Dec). Good Friday, Easter Monday and Idd-ul-Fitr move each year, and the Interior Cabinet Secretary can add a holiday by notice in the Kenya Gazette.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- Where
- Nothing to apply for. Holidays are set in the Public Holidays Act (Cap 110); extra ones are announced by the Ministry of Interior in the Kenya Gazette
Steps
- Fixed dates every year: 1 January, 1 May, 1 June, 10 October (Mazingira Day), 20 October (Mashujaa Day), 12 December (Jamhuri Day), 25 and 26 December.
- If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, the next working day (usually Monday) becomes the holiday instead.
- Extra or swapped holidays: the Cabinet Secretary declares them by notice in the Kenya Gazette, for the whole country or just one area. Check for an official notice before planning.
- General election day, after Parliament is dissolved, is also a public holiday.
Watch out
- 10 October is now Mazingira Day. It used to be called Utamaduni Day, so older calendars may show the old name.
- In the Act, Idd-ul-Azha is a holiday only for Muslims, unless the government gazettes it for everyone that year.
- Some people still work on holidays. Government offices can open, and your contract may require you to work with agreed pay or a day off in lieu.
Official sources (3)
- Public Holidays Act (Cap. 110), latest version new.kenyalaw.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- President Ruto signs into law the Statute Law Bill 2024 president.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026
- Our Mandate & Functions interior.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026