The government has declared next week Friday, May 14 a public holiday to mark the end of Ramadhan, the Muslim month of fasting.

In a gazette notice, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i declared that the day will be set aside for Muslims across the country to mark Idd-ul-Fitr.

“It is notified for the general information of the public that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act, declares that Friday, the 14th May, 2021, shall be a public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr,” the gazette notice dated May 5 read.

It is one of the most important Islamic holidays and is observed by all Muslims across the globe, including by the about 10 per cent of Kenyans who are adherents of Islam.

Idd-ul-Fitr is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal and marks the end of Ramadhan, which is a month of fasting and prayer.