The government has declared Friday, March 20, 2026, a public holiday to mark the celebration of Idd-ul-Fitr.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen made the declaration through a gazette notice on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, evening.

“IT IS notified for the general information of the public that, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 (1) of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares that Friday, the 20th of March, 2026, shall be a public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr,” Murkomen said.

The declaration, formalised through Gazette Notice No. 3955 under the Public Holidays Act (Cap. 110), paves the way for one of the most significant observances in the Islamic calendar.

Conclusion of Ramadan

Idd-ul-Fitr marks the conclusion of Ramadan, a month-long period of fasting, intense prayer, and spiritual reflection. The festival officially begins with the sighting of the new moon, signalling the start of Shawwal and a time of communal celebration.

Muslim faithfuls began Ramadhan on February 18, 2026.

The holy month is marked by strict dawn-to-sunset fasting, or ‘Saum’, for 29-30 days to foster self-discipline, God-consciousness, or ‘Taqwa’, and empathy.

Lunar calendar

As the ninth month of the lunar calendar, it commemorates the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.

The month of Ramadhan is a month when Muslims reach out to people, giving charity throughout the fasting season.

Fasting is compulsory upon every Muslim male or female, but exemptions include children under the age of puberty, insane people, and men and women who are too old to undertake the obligation of fasting.