The government has officially declared Friday, June 6, as a public holiday to mark Eid-ul-Adha.
Through a special gazette notice, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced the holiday, allowing the Muslim community to celebrate their second-holiest festival of the year.
"It is notified for the general information of the public that in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 (1) of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares that Friday, 6th June, 2025, shall be a public holiday to mark Eid-ul-Adha," read the notice in part.
The declaration was also made in line with the powers bestowed on the CS by the Public Holidays Act.
Eid-ul-Adha is often referred to as the festival of sacrifice. It is celebrated by Muslims across the world to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim's devotion to Allah.
The day of Eid-ul-Adha falls on the tenth day in the final (twelfth) month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar; Dhu-al-Hijjah. The day that celebrations fall on is dependent on a legitimate sighting of the moon, following the completion of the annual Holy Pilgrimage of Hajj.
Prophet Ibrahim is remembered for his dedication and willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail. As detailed in the Quran, Allah provided a ram to Prophet Ibrahim just before he could sacrifice his son.
Therefore, as part of the celebrations, Muslims will engage in the act of sacrificing (Qurbani) an animal and share the meat with those who are disadvantaged in the community.
Depending on the country, the celebrations of Eid-ul-Adha can last anywhere between two and four days. The act of Qurbani (sacrifice) is carried out following the Eid Salaah (Eid Prayers), which are performed in congregation at the nearest Mosque on the morning of Eid.
The sacrificial animal must be a sheep, lamb, goat, cow, bull or camel. The sheep, lamb or goat consists of one Qurbani share, whereas a bull, cow or camel consists of seven shares per animal. The animal must be in good health and over a certain age for it to be slaughtered, in a “halal” friendly, Islamic way.
Notably, Eid-ul-Adha comes after the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration, which is used to mark the completion of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
This year, Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated on Monday, March 31, after 30 days of Ramadhan that had commenced on Saturday, March 1.
