Pay & working terms · 3 min read
Public holidays in Kenya and your pay: who is off and what working costs
The public holidays in the law, the Sunday rule, the extra holidays for Muslims and Hindus, and the double rate for working on a holiday.
Kenya's public holidays are set by the Public Holidays Act, and the pay for working on them by the wages orders. Here is the list as it stands after the 2024 amendment, how a holiday that falls on a Sunday moves, and what you should be paid if you work.
The public holidays in the Act
- New Year's Day, 1 January.
- Good Friday and Easter Monday, in March or April.
- Labour Day, 1 May.
- Madaraka Day, 1 June.
- Idd-ul-Fitr, on a date that depends on the moon.
- Mazingira Day, 10 October.
- Mashujaa Day, 20 October.
- Jamhuri Day, 12 December.
- Christmas Day, 25 December, and Boxing Day, 26 December.
Idd-ul-Azha is an additional public holiday for people of the Islamic faith, and Diwali for people of the Hindu faith (section 2(2) and (3)). A general election day and the day a President-elect is sworn in are also public holidays (section 2(4) and (5)).
Holidays that fall on a Sunday, and extra holidays
When a holiday in the main list falls on a Sunday, the next day that is not already a holiday becomes the public holiday instead (section 4).
The Cabinet Secretary can declare an extra public holiday, or move one, by notice in the Gazette, for the whole country or one area (section 3). Check the Gazette notice before you plan around a new date.
What working on a holiday should pay
Under the Regulation of Wages (General) Order, the days in the Act are holidays with full pay (paragraph 8). Time worked on a public holiday is paid at twice the normal hourly rate (paragraph 6(1)(b)).
Where you are not paid by the hour, the hourly rate is taken as at least one two hundred and twenty fifth of your basic minimum monthly wage (paragraph 6(2)). Your contract or a collective agreement may pay more.
Basic monthly wage: KSh 22,500 Hourly rate: 22,500 / 225 = KSh 100 Eight hours worked on Labour Day at double rate: 8 x 200 = KSh 1,600
The General Order does not cover the agricultural industry, which has its own wages order. Ask your employer which order or agreement applies to you.
Keep a record
Write down every holiday you work and check the next payslip for the extra pay. If it is missing, raise it with payroll in writing. Your contract particulars should state your entitlement to public holidays and holiday pay (Employment Act, section 10(3)).
Sources and further reading
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Frequently asked questions
What are the public holidays in Kenya?
New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Madaraka Day, Idd-ul-Fitr, Mazingira Day (10 October), Mashujaa Day, Jamhuri Day, Christmas and Boxing Day, plus election and swearing-in days.
What happens when a public holiday falls on a Sunday?
The next day that is not already a holiday becomes the public holiday (Public Holidays Act, section 4).
How much should I be paid for working on a public holiday?
Under the General Wages Order, at least twice the normal hourly rate for the hours worked.