What Are The Public Holidays in Kenya in 2025?

List of Public Holidays in Kenya in 2025

The table below lists all national public holidays observed in Kenya in 2025, including key civic, cultural, and religious dates.

*Islamic holidays are determined by the lunar calendar and may vary slightly based on moon sightings.

Do Employers Have to Provide Paid Leave on Public Holidays?

Yes. Under Kenyan labor law, employers are required to provide paid leave for all gazetted public holidays. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they must receive double pay for the hours worked or be given an alternative paid day off.

Both full-time and part-time employees are entitled to this benefit, as long as they fall under a standard employment contract. These holidays are independent of annual leave entitlements, meaning they do not reduce an employee’s regular vacation days.

Legal Penalties for Not Providing Paid Holiday Leave

Failing to comply with Kenya’s public holiday pay regulations can result in fines and legal sanctions under the Employment Act. Employers who do not provide paid time off or proper overtime compensation risk being prosecuted by the Ministry of Labour, with penalties that can include financial fines and mandatory back payments to affected employees.

Non-compliance is often seen among informal sector employers or probationary contracts, but the law applies equally to all. Employees can file complaints with the Labour and Industrial Relations Court, which often orders restitution with interest. To avoid violations, companies should track holiday dates carefully, maintain transparent payslips, and update employment contracts in line with current legislation.

How Do Holidays Affect Overtime Thresholds?

Public holidays are excluded from standard working hours when calculating overtime. Any work done on a public holiday must be compensated at double the normal hourly rate. Employers cannot average out these hours across pay periods, holiday work is calculated separately and paid out in the same pay cycle.

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Leave entitlements, from public holidays to annual leave and special allowances, vary widely between countries and even regions, and Kenya is no exception. Misinterpreting local rules can lead to payroll errors, penalties, or unhappy employees.

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