Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has declared Wednesday, May 27, a public holiday.

In an official Gazette notice dated Monday, May 25, the CS announced that the day would be observed as a public holiday to mark the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Adha.

“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 states.

Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the two major celebrations observed by Muslims worldwide, alongside Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

It falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, shortly after the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Depending on the country, celebrations may last between two and four days.

The exact date is determined by the sighting of the moon and may vary across countries, prompting the government to issue an annual announcement rather than fixing the holiday on the calendar.

Eid-ul-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion and his willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, in obedience to Allah’s command. According to the Quran, Allah intervened at the moment of sacrifice and provided a ram to be slaughtered in Ismail’s place.

The occasion is observed by Muslims worldwide through communal prayers, charity and the act of Qurbani (sacrifice). 

The sacrifice is carried out after Eid prayers, which are performed in congregation at mosques on the morning of Eid.

The sacrificial animal must be a sheep, goat, cow, bull or camel, and it must be healthy, of the required age and slaughtered in accordance with halal practices.