CS Murkomen Announces June 6 as Public Holiday to Mark Eid-ul-Adha

On Tuesday, Kipchumba Murkomen, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, announced that Friday, June 6, 2025, will be a public holiday in honor of Eid-ul-Adha.

The declaration was formalized through a Gazette notice, invoking the authority granted under Section 2 (1) of the Public Holidays Act.

The notice stated, “For the general information of the public, I hereby declare, pursuant to the powers vested in me by Section 2 (1) of the Public Holidays Act, that Friday, 6th June 2025, shall be a public holiday to commemorate Eid-ul-Adha.”

Eid-ul-Adha, often referred to as the Feast of Sacrifice, holds profound significance in the Islamic calendar. It honors Prophet Ibrahim’s readiness to sacrifice his son in submission to God’s directive, an act halted by divine intervention when God provided a ram as a substitute for the sacrifice.

This public holiday provides an opportunity for Muslims throughout Kenya to engage in the religious celebrations, which include special prayers, acts of charity, and shared meals with family and community.

Murkomen’s announcement continues the longstanding governmental practice of designating Islamic festivals as national holidays, promoting inclusivity and upholding the principle of religious freedom for all Kenyans.

The decision has sparked a range of reactions on X. Some are below:

@AishaMombasa expressed gratitude, posting, “Thank you, CS Murkomen, for recognizing Eid-ul-Adha as a public holiday. This means so much to us Muslims in Kenya—it’s a chance to celebrate our faith fully with our families. #EidMubarak.”

Similarly, @NairobiHafiz wrote, “A great move for inclusivity! I’m glad the government continues to honor Islamic holidays. It’s a day for reflection, charity, and unity. Can’t wait for June 6th.”

These reactions highlight the positive impact of the declaration on Kenya’s Muslim community, which makes up 10.9% of the population, according to a 2025 Wikipedia entry on Religion in Kenya.

However, not all responses focused solely on the holiday. @KenyanPatriot commented, “Good to see Eid-ul-Adha recognized, but what about the rising cost of living? We need more than holidays to survive this economy. #FixTheEconomy.”

@FaithK_ added a humorous note, “Eid-ul-Adha holiday on a Friday? That’s a long weekend for everyone! Time to plan a family getaway—Muslim or not, we all win!”