There are 12 public holidays in Kenya in 2023, three of which fall on weekends.
New Year's Day
New Year Holiday is the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar, and it is one of the most popular holidays in the world. The holiday falls on January 1, 2023, and is observed on January 2, 2023.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, and it is the Monday after Easter Sunday. It is observed on April 10, 2023.
Eid al-Fitr
This is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide, celebrating the end of a month of fasting. The holiday falls on the first day of Syawal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, and it is April 21, 2023.
Labour Day
Labour Day is observed on May 1, 2023, and it celebrates the achievements of workers. The holiday originates in the eight-hour day movement, which is eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.
Madaraka Day
Madaraka Day, observed on June 1, 2023, commemorates the day when Kenya gained internal self-rule in 1963. In 1920, Great Britain established colonial rule in Kenya. Numerous disputes occurred between Great Britain and Kenya, and the struggles to regain freedom continued till June 1, 1963, when Kenya was allowed to form an autonomous government.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, also known as the festival of sacrifice, is an important Muslim festival. The holiday falls on June 29, 2023, and it honors the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God's command.
Moi Day
Moi Day, observed on October 10, 2023, commemorates the second President of Kenya Daniel Arap Moi. He was born on September 2, 1924, and became the President on August 22, 1978, following the death of the first President of Jomo Kenyatta.
Mashujaa Day
Mashujaa Day, October 20, 2023, is a holiday in honor of those who contributed to the struggle for Kenya's independence and positively contributed to post-independence Kenya. The holiday was previously known as Kenyatta Day, named after the first Prime Minister and then President of Kenya Jomo Kenyatta. In 2010, Kenyatta Day was changed to Mashujaa Day.
Jamhuri Day
Jamhuri Day, also known as Republic Day, is a public holiday in the Republic of Kenya, observed on December 12, 2023. Jamhuri Day marks when Kenya became a republic on December 12, 1964.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25, 2023, and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Christmas Day is a holiday of sharing. People exchange Christmas gifts and cards with families and friends.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is also known as St. Stephen's Day and is widely known as a shopping holiday in some countries. It falls on December 26, 2023.
The following is the list of public holidays in Kenya 2023.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 01, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| New Year's Holiday | Jan 02, 2023 | Monday | Observed |
| Good Friday | Apr 07, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Easter Monday | Apr 10, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Fitr | Apr 21, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Labour Day | May 01, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Madaraka Day | Jun 01, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Eid al-Adha | Jun 29, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Moi Day | Oct 10, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Mashujaa Day | Oct 20, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Jamhuri Day | Dec 12, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Boxing Day | Dec 26, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
Please also check the working days in Kenya in 2023.