The government has officially announced that Friday, June 6, 2025, will be a public holiday in celebration of Eid-ul-Adha.
The announcement was made via a special gazette notice by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, granting the Muslim community the opportunity to observe one of their most important religious festivals.
“For public awareness, and under the authority of Section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Friday, 6th June 2025, a public holiday for the celebration of Eid-ul-Adha,” the notice stated.
This decision is in accordance with the legal provisions granted to the Interior CS under the Public Holidays Act.
Eid-ul-Adha, known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” is observed by Muslims worldwide to honor the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as an act of obedience to God. According to Islamic belief, Allah intervened and provided a ram for sacrifice instead.
The festival is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu-al-Hijjah, the final month in the Islamic lunar calendar. The exact date is determined by the sighting of the moon, following the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage.
A central part of Eid-ul-Adha involves the ritual of Qurbani—sacrificing an animal and distributing the meat to the less fortunate. Animals used for sacrifice include sheep, goats, cows, bulls, and camels. A single goat or sheep equals one share, while a cow, bull, or camel can be divided among seven people. The animal must be healthy, meet a certain age requirement, and be slaughtered in a halal-compliant manner.
The day typically begins with congregational Eid prayers at local mosques, after which the Qurbani is performed. Celebrations may continue for two to four days, depending on the country.
Eid-ul-Adha follows Eid-ul-Fitr, the festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. In 2025, Eid-ul-Fitr was observed on Monday, March 31, after 30 days of fasting that began on Saturday, March 1.
