Kindiki Announces Public Holiday

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has announced a public holiday.

In a special gazette notice, Kindiki declared Wednesday, April 10 a public holiday.

The holiday has been gazetted to allow Muslims to mark Idd-ul-Fitr.

"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 Wednesday, the 10th April 2024 shall be a Public Holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr," he stated.

The holiday allows Muslim believers to celebrate after almost a month of fasting under Ramadhan. Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

That period marks a month of fasting, worship, service, communal gathering, and spiritual development. 

During Idd-ul-Fitr, Muslims will convene at Mosques, prepare meals and share some with the less vulnerable in their communities.

The declaration of the public holiday comes just hours after President William Ruto hosted the Iftar Dinner at State House Nairobi.

Several Muslim leaders converged at State House to break their Monday fast.

Speaking during the Iftar Dinner, the Head of State announced a raft of new policies to favour the Muslims. One of the announced changes is the recalibration of the Hustler Fund to allow Muslims to consume the product.

President  Ruto said packaging the Fund to be Shariah compliant will deepen financial inclusion in Kenya.

Further, he abolished the vetting process in ID Card applications.