The government has released the 2026 annual calendar of eight national days and events of significance.
In a letter by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, two additional annual events of national importance have been officially been included alongside existing national holidays: the Ocean Conference – Kenya, slated for June, 16-18, in Mombasa and Kilifi, and Minorities Day, to be hosted in Marsabit on December 18, coinciding with International Minority Rights Day
The communication, addressed to the Attorney-General, all Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries/Accounting Officers, and Secretaries/Chief Executive Officers of constitutional commissions, states that these events shall be commemorated under designated thematic areas and in specific counties.
Katiba Day, marked on August 27, has previously been commemorated but has not yet been gazetted as a public holiday.
“Article 9 of the Constitution posits national days as occasions to strengthen our national identity and fortify nationhood. In furtherance of this aspiration, this Administration has since 2022 observed national days under a defined thematic area”, HOPs says.
He adds, “In that regard, it is notified that the 2026 calendar of national days and other designated events of national significance shall be commemorated under the thematic areas set out and, in the counties, specified hereunder.”
Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination, Dennis Itumbi, has been directed to facilitate the coordination of themed engagements in the lead-up to national days and other events.
He will liaise with the relevant ministries and state departments.
