Kenya Public Holidays 2026 and 2027 (Mashujaa, Jamhuri, Christmas)

Updated 19 October 2026

Kenya’s public holidays are set by the Public Holidays Act (Cap. 110). Most fall on fixed dates, such as Mashujaa Day on 20 October and Jamhuri Day on 12 December, while Good Friday, Easter Monday and the Idd holidays move each year. The Cabinet Secretary for Interior can also declare extra holidays by notice in the Kenya Gazette. This guide lists every public holiday for the rest of 2026 and for 2027, explains what happens when a holiday falls on a weekend and covers what the law says about working on a holiday.

Kenya Public Holidays 2026

The Idd-ul-Fitr holiday was declared by Gazette Notice No. 3955 of 18 March 2026, and Idd-ul-Adha by Gazette Notice No. 7653 of 25 May 2026. The 10 October holiday appears in the 2020 revision of the Act as Utamaduni Day and is now marked as Mazingira Day, a day focused on the environment and tree planting.

The Rest of 2026: What to Plan For

Mashujaa Day falls on Tuesday, 20 October, so many people will take Monday, 19 October off to make a four day weekend. To understand why the day matters, read our guide on the meaning of Mashujaa Day. In December, Jamhuri Day and Boxing Day both land on a Saturday and Christmas Day on a Friday. Because neither Saturday holiday moves to a weekday, December 2026 has fewer weekday holidays than usual, which matters for anyone planning leave or shop opening hours.

Kenya Public Holidays 2027

The Constitution sets the general election for the second Tuesday in August of every fifth year, which in 2027 is 10 August, and the Public Holidays Act makes general election day a public holiday. Idd dates depend on the sighting of the moon, so treat the 2027 estimates as a guide only and wait for the Gazette notice.

How the Sunday Rule Works

Section 4 of the Public Holidays Act says that when a holiday in Part I of the Schedule falls on a Sunday, the next day that is not already a public holiday becomes the holiday instead. That is why, in 2027, Mazingira Day moves to Monday, 11 October, Jamhuri Day to Monday, 13 December and Boxing Day to Monday, 27 December. The Act has no similar rule for Saturdays, so a holiday on a Saturday stays on the Saturday unless the Interior Cabinet Secretary gazettes a change.

Holidays for Specific Faiths

The Act lists Idd-ul-Adha in Part II as a holiday for people of the Islamic faith, and Diwali in Part III as a holiday for people of the Hindu faith. In practice the Government often gazettes Idd-ul-Adha as a public holiday for everyone, as it did in 2026, so check the Gazette notice each year.

Can the Government Add a Holiday?

Yes. Under section 3 of the Act, the Interior Cabinet Secretary can declare any day a public holiday, either in addition to the listed days or in place of one, for the whole country or for a specific area. These notices sometimes come only a day or two before, so follow official announcements rather than social media claims.

Working on a Public Holiday

The Act allows government departments to call staff in on a holiday, and allows employers and workers to agree to holiday work under written law or individual agreements covering pay or days off in lieu. For many workers, the Regulation of Wages (General) Order provides that an employee who works on a public holiday is paid double the normal rate for the hours worked, although different wage orders and collective agreements can set their own terms. Check your contract or union agreement, and if you want to see how extra pay affects your take home pay, try our tax calculators.

Planning Tips

• Banks, government offices and many businesses close on public holidays, so pay bills and finish official errands the working day before.
• Bus, matatu and SGR seats fill up quickly before long weekends and in December. Book early.
• Employers should plan payroll dates around the December holidays, since the 25th falls close to month end.
• Public servants can see how pay is structured in our guide to public sector salaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 20 October 2026 a public holiday?

Yes. It is Mashujaa Day and falls on a Tuesday.

Is Monday 14 December 2026 a holiday because Jamhuri Day is on Saturday?

No. The Act only moves holidays that fall on a Sunday. Saturday holidays stay on Saturday unless the Government gazettes a change.

How many public holidays does Kenya have?

The Schedule lists eleven fixed or movable national days in Part I, plus Idd-ul-Adha for Muslims, Diwali for Hindus and general election day when an election is held.

When will Idd-ul-Fitr 2027 be?

It depends on the moon. The Interior Cabinet Secretary announces the date by Gazette notice shortly before.

Do I get paid extra for working on a holiday?

Many workers are entitled to double pay for holiday work under the general wages order, but your contract or collective agreement may set different terms.

Sources: Public Holidays Act (Cap. 110), Kenya Gazette Notices No. 3955 and 7653 of 2026.