Monday will not be a public holiday as many Kenyans may have expected to celebrate Diwali, a festival in the Hindu calendar associated with the goddess of prosperity known as Lakshmi.

This is according to the Ministry of the Interior and National Administration, which issued a statement via its social media accounts.

The Interior Ministry noted that there has been a purported Gazette notice declaring Monday a public holiday.

“Our attention has been drawn to a purported Gazette notice issued by @InteriorKE declaring Monday 24th October 2022 a public holiday,” the Interior Ministry said.

The ministry has cautioned the public against the fake notice and advised Kenyans to ignore the fake notice.

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“Members of the public are advised that this is FAKE notice that should be ignored,” the statement read.

This means Mondy will be a normal working day and only Hindus will celebrate Diwali.

According to Kenyan Law, the five days of Diwali may “in every year be public holidays for all persons belonging to the Hindu faith”, and not all Kenyans.