NAIROBI, Kenya- The government has officially declared Friday, March 20, a public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr celebrations.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen made the announcement through a special gazette notice issued on Wednesday night.
Public Holiday to Mark End of Ramadan
In the notice, Murkomen said the day would allow Muslims across the country to celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
“Friday, the 20th March, 2026, shall be a Public Holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr,” the notice stated.
The declaration means government offices, schools, and institutions such as banks will remain closed in observance of the holiday.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs while focusing on spiritual growth and discipline.
Moon Sighting Determines Celebration Date
Earlier, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale had indicated that the holiday would likely fall on Friday after the crescent moon marking Shawwal was not sighted in Saudi Arabia.
The absence of the new moon meant Ramadan would continue through Thursday, with Idd-ul-Fitr expected to begin on Friday.
The festival marks the start of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
Rare Overlap of Global Observances
This year’s Ramadan began around February 18 and has coincided with other major global observances.
These include the Lunar New Year and the Christian Lenten season, creating a rare alignment of religious and cultural events.
Christians, particularly Catholics, are currently observing Lent, which will culminate in Easter celebrations in early April.
The convergence highlights a unique moment on the global calendar where major faith traditions are observed simultaneously.