Ruto's Eid al-Adha gift to Muslim community

Deputy President William Ruto has distributed a herd of goats to the Muslim community ahead of their Idd-Ul-Adha celebrations.

Ruto handed over the gift on Monday in Nyali, Mombasa County to the Sheikh Hassan Omar, who is the National Treasurer Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya.

“We salute the Muslim fraternity around the world as they observe Eid al-Adha. This is the celebration to honour the sacrifice and devotion to God. May this special Holy day bring love and inspire us to work for the wellbeing of everyone. Happy Eid al-Adha!” Ruto said.

Meru Senator Mithika Linturi was also present with other leaders. 

The Interior CS Fred Matiangi declared Tuesday, July 20 as a public holiday to celebrate Idd-Ul-Adha.

"It is notified for the general information of the public that in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 (2) , as read with section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government declares that Tuesday, 20th July 2021 shall be a public holiday to mark Idd-Ul-Adha, 2021," he said in a gazette notice on Friday.

The holiday is an Islamic festival to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim (also known as Abraham) to follow Allah's (God's) command to sacrifice his son.

Idd-ul-Adha is held at the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and sees family and friends gather for feasts, gift-giving, and prayers.