Kenya is one of the best touring destinations because of lovely natural scenes, wildlife in natural habitats and its great diverse cultures. The experience you get in the country is fantastic and will give you high value for money. You will, however, enjoy your holiday more if you visit the country during the holidays. Here are the main Kenya public holidays for 2018 & 2019.
List of Kenya Public Holidays For the Year 2018 and 2019
New Year’s Day
New years days are celebrated the first day of January 2018 and 2019. This is a special time which is part of the extended festivities of previous Christmas. Many people spend a lot of time enjoying gifts they were given over the Christmas period. It is also used to conclude the long Christmas holiday before resuming work.
The Easter Holiday
The Easter holidays in Kenya will be celebrated on 30th March and 2nd April in 2018. In 2019, however, the dates will be 19th April and 22nd April. This holiday is used to commemorate the persecution, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Most people go to churches on Good Friday, Easter Monday and also take more time visiting friends, parks and doing shopping. It is considered a perfect moment for families to bond together.
Labour Day
Labour Day is a major global holiday celebrated on the 1st of May. In Kenya, this day is marked by holding a national ceremony prepared by the state. It is marked by traditional dances, military and police parades and speeches from key personalities in the government. It is also used to reflect on the progress that has been achieved by the government in the first quarter of the year.
Madaraka Day
Madaraka day is a holiday celebrated every 1st of June and used to commemorate the day Kenya gained internal independence. The day is very crucial in the Kenyan calendar because it reminds Kenyans and the rest of the world the time colonial masters gave them freedom of self-governance. It is a national holiday and is climaxed by celebrations led by the president and other major government dignitaries.
Though the main celebrations are done in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, there are other smaller celebrations at the county level held by governors and county commissioners. All the celebrations are marked by lovely traditional dances, traditional foods and travelling to visit friends.
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
This is a special national holiday that will be celebrated on 15th June 2018. In 2019, it will be celebrated on 5th June. The holiday is used to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadhan by Muslims. It is used to celebrate religious diversity in Kenya. There is a significant population of Muslims in the country especially in the coastal areas and North Eastern parts that border Somalia celebrates the festival.
See Also 5 of the weirdest Kenyan Cultural Practices
Special Kenya Public Holidays In 2018
Mashujaa (Heroes) Day
Mashujaa (Heroes) day is a special Kenya public holiday commemorated on 12th October of every year. The holiday is used by the country to remember our founding fathers who were involved in fighting against colonial masters until Kenya gained independence. Founding fathers of our country such as the first president Jomo Kenyatta and other freedom heroes’ contributions are reviewed and used to enhance national cohesion and unity. It is a special moment to reflect where the country has come from and whether it is moving on the correct path.
Heroes’ day has been redefined and now includes the commemoration of other great heroes who have made a tremendous contribution towards national and international social, economic, political and ecological developments after independence. Among the personalities who have been commemorated in the past is the Late Professor Wangari Maathai who is recognized for her contribution towards conservation.
Christmas Day
This holiday is marked on 25th December every year to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday also coincides with one of the longest away-from-work session for workers. Since the biggest percentage of the Kenyan population is Christian, the holiday has a lot of significance to them. Most people visit parks, hold family celebrations and tour new areas.
December Boxing Day
This holiday comes every 26th day of December and is used to open and enjoy gifts that one was given during Christmas. It is usually a special moment to do more shopping and relax with friends as the Christmas holiday end draws nearer.
If you want to enjoy the holiday in Kenya, make sure you know when the main Kenya Public Holidays 2018 & 2019 are celebrated for greater enjoyment. These are very important days that have a very special place in the heart of Kenyans.
