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KENYANS USHER IN NEW YEAR
Gospel artist Jemmimah Thiong’o performs during the ‘light up 26’ new year experience event to usher in 2026 held on December 31,2025 at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.
Text By Sila Kiplagat
Across Kenya, Kenyans celebrated the New Year 2026 with a blend of festivities, prayer, and reflection. Major cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret featured fireworks, music, concerts, and street celebrations, while many others attended overnight church vigils and thanksgiving services. Coastal towns hosted beach celebrations.
Hundreds converge at Menengai Ground in Nakuru for New Year Cross over prayers crusade led by Repentance and Holiness Church leader Prophet David Owuor on December 31, 2025.
Fireworks light up the Nairobi skyline from Old Mutual Tower on January 1, 2026 as Kenyans gather in celebration to usher in the New Year.
A boy lights up and spins round a steel wire wool in Kangemi area giving the fireworks vibes to mark the new year 2026 celebrations on December 31, 2025.
City lighters church worship team perform during the ‘light up 26’ new year experience event to usher in 2026 held on December 31,2025 at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.
Musical artist Ndovu Kuu performs during Old Mutual Kenya Fireworks Show event along Hospital road in Nairobi on December 31, 2025.
Kenyans celebrate new year with their families on January 1, 2026 at ILRI Uthiru round about park in Nairobi.
Members of the public during Pamoja Concert to usher-in the New Year 2026, held at Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County attended by President William Ruto, Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki and other leaders on December 31, 2025 night.
Artist, Evelyne Wanjiru performs during Pamoja Concert to usher-in the New Year 2026, held at Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County on December 31, 2025 night attended by President William Ruto, Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki and other leaders.
Harsh Patel (right) a staff member at Jays Pyrotechnics Ltd explains different fireworks to customers at the shop in Parklands, Nairobi on December 31, 2025 ahead of New Year celebrations.
Youths wearing mascot outfits entertain residents within parklands area on December 31, 2025. As the year draws to an end a number of city residents will be ushering in the New Year in different places with optimism of a better year ahead.
Families enjoy camel rides during new year celebrations at Uhuru Park in Nairobi on January 1, 2026.
Hundreds of Holiday Makers throng the Nyali Public Beach in Mombasa to usher in the new year in this photo taken on 1st January 2026.
Nairobians gather at Uhuru Park during the ‘light up 26’ new year experience event to usher in 2026 held on December 31,2025 at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.
Fireworks during Pamoja Concert to usher-in the New Year 2026, held at Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County attended by President William Ruto, Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki and other leaders on December 31, 2025 night,
A meat handler at Burma market in Nairobi carries meat to his butchery on January 1, 2026 as residents flock to the market to buy choma and fresh meat for New Year celebrations.
Felix Muhozi grills meat at Pebulu Foods in Burma Market, Nairobi on January 1, 2026 as residents flock to the market to buy choma and fresh meat for New Year celebrations. A half portion of choma is selling at KSh600, while a kilogram costs KSh1,200.
Children enjoy playing inside a water wheel toy during new year celebrations at Uhuru Park in Nairobi on January 1, 2026.
Worshipers sing praise and worship at Redeemed Gospel Church in Huruma, Nairobi on December 31, 2025 as they usher in the New Year 2026.
Security guards stand on duty outside closed shops along Moi Avenue on January 01, 2026. With the New Year businesses are optimistic of a more positive working environment with lesser taxes and more access to funds to be enabled to offer jobs to the hundreds of jobless graduates looking for employment.
President William Ruto (centre), Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki second (left), First Lady Rachel Ruto, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula (left), Uasin Gishu County Governor Jonathan Bii (right), and other leaders during Pamoja Concert to usher-in the New Year 2026, held at Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County on December 31, 2025 night.
Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit delivers the New Year Eucharist sermon at the All Saints Cathedral on January 01, 2026. He called upon a peaceful year as the country heads into an election and campaign season.
Families enjoy a merry-go-round ride during new year celebrations at Uhuru Park in Nairobi on January 1, 2026.
Travelers onboard Great Vision Sacco traveling towards Enkalakala from Nairobi from the Machakos Country Bus on January 01, 2026. As the New Year festivities come to a close public service operators are optimistic of a busy season as residents travel back to the city in time for schools opening.
