Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has declared Friday, March 20, a public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr as Muslims across Kenya prepare for the official sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon, which determines the exact end of Ramadhan.
Mr Murkomen made the announcement through a special gazette notice dated March 18, 2026.
“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 March, 2026, shall be a Public Holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr.” read the notice.
Idd-ul-Fitr signifies the conclusion of Ramadhan, a month dedicated to fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection. This year, Muslims in Kenya began observing Ramadan on February 19, following confirmed local moon sightings.
The celebration not only marks the end of fasting but also symbolizes gratitude, renewal, and unity within the Muslim community. Families gather for meals, share gifts, and extend acts of kindness, reinforcing social bonds and compassion.
This year, Muslim and Christian faithfuls across the world began a crucial fasting, self-reflection, and introspection, the same day, even though the origins of the observances are quite different, an experience last observed 32 years ago.
Christians began the Lent season on Ash Wednesday, February 18 whereas Muslims started the Holy month of Ramadan the same day after sighting of the new crescent moon on Tuesday, February 17.
Ramadhan commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s receiving of revelations from the archangel Gabriel. Lent is often seen as a pious identification with Jesus and the 40 days that Christian Scriptures say he spent in the wilderness before he began his active ministry.
Ramadhan (a 30-day fast) is expected to run from February 18 to March 19, 2026, while Lent (a 40-day period) begins on February 18 and leads up to Easter on April 5, 2026.
According to scholars, such rare timing is based on the overlap of the Lunar and solar calendar with another such occurrence expected to happen in the late 2050s.
Muslims traditionally begin the day with special congregational prayers known as Salat al-Eid, followed by feasting and the exchange of greetings such as “Eid Mubarak.”
An essential aspect of the celebration is zakat al-fitr, a charitable donation given to the poor and needy before the prayers.
The Office of the Chief Kadhi confirmed that the moon will be observed on the evening of Thursday, March 19, corresponding to the 29th day of Ramadan 1447 AH.
According to a notice issued by Acting Chief Kadhi Sukyan Hassan Omar, the National Moon Sighting Committee will convene at the Kadhi’s Court in Upper Hill, Nairobi, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
