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Official holiday calendar or legal framework
Awaiting Confirmation · Scope: public · Checked 2026-09-29
The Public Holidays Act supplies the recurring list; Eid dates and special declarations require Gazette notices.
New Year's Day in Kenya
2028 holiday dates
Estimated / awaiting confirmation
This is the first listed date for this year; a separate observance date has not been assigned.
About New Year's Day
New Year's Day is a nationwide Kenyan public holiday on 1 January under the Public Holidays Act. When a Part I public holiday falls on Sunday, the Act substitutes the next day that is not already a public holiday.
Public holiday / closure dates
- — Public of holiday period · Estimated / awaiting confirmation
Bank, office and school arrangements require the applicable authority or institution notice. Missing scope data does not mean open.
Next supported occurrence
Friday, 1 January 2027 · Estimated / awaiting confirmation
Next listed holiday day on or after today; this can be a closure day rather than the festival date.
2026 dates
- — Public of holiday periodConfirmed — source checked
2027 dates
- — Public of holiday periodEstimated / awaiting confirmation
Official sources and date status
Recorded confirmation and independent source review are shown separately. An institution-specific notice does not establish closure for every employer or school.
www.interior.go.ke
Official holiday calendar or legal framework
Provisional · Scope: public · Checked 2026-09-29
Provisional date under the current framework; annual or lunar confirmation remains pending. The Public Holidays Act supplies the recurring list; Eid dates and special declarations require Gazette notices.
Office arrangements
Government offices close, except where a department lawfully calls staff for necessary duties. Private services may operate under agreed holiday-work conditions.
Bank arrangements
Bank branches ordinarily close; electronic access can continue while ordinary clearing follows the banking calendar.
School arrangements
Schools are normally within the year-end vacation, with term dates issued through education authorities.
History
The first day of the civil year appears in Part I of Kenya's statutory schedule. Its modern observance combines a legal closure date with family, religious and leisure activities.
Why it matters
It gives residents and institutions a shared annual starting point and a protected public-holiday schedule for qualifying employment arrangements.
Observance
People attend overnight services, spend time with family or visit recreation areas. Events differ between Nairobi, the coast and other counties.
Travel and planning
Holiday travel can be heavy on major roads and at coastal destinations. Check operator schedules and traffic advisories.
Frequently asked questions
When is New Year's Day in Kenya?
It is observed on 1 January.
Is it a public holiday?
Yes. It appears in Part I of the Public Holidays Act.
What happens if it falls on Sunday?
The next day that is not already a public holiday becomes the substitute holiday.
View all Kenya public holidays 2028