Here is what you need to know to keep up to speed with today’s happenings.

Eid al-Adha public holiday

Kenyans today join millions worldwide in marking Eid al-Adha, a significant Islamic festival celebrated with communal prayers, feasts, and acts of charity. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen officially declared it a public holiday, paving the way for festivities across the country.

In Nairobi, Mombasa, and other major towns, expect vibrant processions and public prayers in mosques and open grounds, with many using the occasion to support the less fortunate through food donations and outreach events.

Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative

Another key event to watch is a high-level consultation meeting on the Africa Green Industrialization Initiative (AGII) taking place in Nairobi, chaired by President William Ruto.

The State House has emphasised that this meeting will advance climate-smart industrial growth across Africa, building on the Nairobi Declaration and mobilising over Ksh520 billion in investments from partners like the UAE’s Masdar and AMEA Power.

However, there is growing public scepticism about Kenya’s green agenda, given recent controversies such as the construction of a luxury hotel in Ngong Road Forest, which began without proper environmental approvals.

Finance Bill 2025 public hearings

In the political and economic arena, attention is squarely on the ongoing county-level public hearings for the Finance Bill 2025.

These hearings are drawing large crowds in cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, where spirited debates are unfolding around proposed tax changes and their potential impact on the cost of living.

The arrest of software developer Rose Njeri for creating a tool to oppose the bill has added fuel to the fire, sparking conversations about digital freedoms, free speech, and government overreach.

All this comes just days before Treasury CS John Mbadi is set to present the National Budget for 2025/26 on June 12. Concerns are mounting over the looming tax hikes and proposed cuts to subsidies.

Economic experts and civil society organisations, including the Okoa Uchumi movement, warn that these measures could push an estimated two million more Kenyans below the poverty line, exacerbating hardships in a country already grappling with a record 16.5% inflation rate.