By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, 25 May 2026 - Kenyans will enjoy a midweek break on Wednesday after the government officially declared May 27 a public holiday to mark Eid-ul-Adha, one of the most important celebrations in the Islamic calendar.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced the holiday through a Gazette notice issued on Monday, allowing Muslim families across the country time to gather for prayers, sacrifice and charity.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 (1) of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares that Wednesday, the 27th May, 2026, shall be a public holiday to mark Eid-ul-Adha,” the notice stated.
The announcement sets the stage for celebrations in mosques, homes and open prayer grounds as Muslims commemorate the Festival of Sacrifice, observed shortly after the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.
Across Kenya’s towns and cities, preparations are already underway, with families expected to gather early Wednesday morning for congregational prayers before carrying out Qurbani, the ritual sacrifice of animals in line with Islamic tradition.
Eid-ul-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, in obedience to Allah’s command before a ram was provided in his place, according to the Quran.
The celebration is marked not only by sacrifice, but also by sharing meals with relatives, neighbours and vulnerable families through acts of charity.
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Under Islamic practice, the sacrificial animal may be a sheep, goat, cow, bull or camel, provided it is healthy and slaughtered according to halal guidelines.
The exact date of Eid-ul-Adha changes every year because it is determined by the sighting of the moon under the Islamic lunar calendar.
The holiday comes as thousands of Muslim faithful around the world continue preparations for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, one of the five pillars of Islam.
In Kenya, Eid celebrations are expected to draw large gatherings in major towns including Nairobi, Mombasa, Garissa, Kisumu and Mandera, with security and transport agencies also preparing for increased movement during the holiday period.
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