Monday, October 28 is not a public holiday as rumours claimed, the Interior Ministry has confirmed.
The Fred Matiang’i-led docket on Friday took to Twitter to promptly respond to a gazette notice that had gone viral on Friday, indicating that to mark the Hindu Diwali Festival, Monday would be observed as a public holiday.
“Kindly ignore a gazette notice circulating on social media claiming Monday 28th October 2019 to be a public holiday. Monday 28th remains a normal working day,” the Ministry tweeted.
Kindly ignore a gazette notice circulating on social media claiming Monday 28th October 2019 to be a public holiday.
Monday 28th remains a normal working day. pic.twitter.com/dkBgVugFbH
— Ministry of Interior (@InteriorKE) October 25, 2019
Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is celebrated by the Hindu faithful to celebrate victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
Being a country with the freedom of worship, Kenya celebrates religious holidays affiliated to different denominations such as Christianity, Islam and at times, Hinduism.
This is not the first time cheeky Kenyans have attempted gifting themselves a break from work by publishing fake gazette notices.
After Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge won the Ineos 1:59 challenge early October, a gazette notice emerged on social media declaring October 14 a public holiday to mark the Ineos 1:59 Challenge.
Members of the public are urged to disregard any notice or report indicating that tomorrow’s is a Public Holiday. For avoidance of doubt the aforesaid Monday 14 October, 2019 is a working day. pic.twitter.com/XVbdw1h153
— Ministry of Interior (@InteriorKE) October 12, 2019
Kenyans, who had already adjusted their schedules to relaxation mode, have expressed their disappointment in the cancellation of the fake Monday holiday notice.
Others have questioned the legality of the Ministry’s decision.
