- The notice dated Friday, March 17, said the holiday was declared to mark the mass action day.
- The Gazette notice comes during a time when Azimio leader Raila Odinga has unlawfully declared the day a public holiday.
Image: HANDOUT
A gazette notice claiming that the Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has declared Monday, March 20, a public holiday is FAKE.
The notice dated Friday, March 17, said the holiday was declared to mark the mass action day.
"It is notified for general information that in the exercise of the powers conferred by sections 3 as read with section 2 (2) of the Public Holidays Act (Cap. 110), the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government declares Monday, 20th March 2023 a public holiday I marking Mass Action Day," the gazette reads.
The Star has however learnt that no such gazette notice was released.
A scan through the official social media platforms of the Ministry of Interior proved there was no notification on the same.
Usually, when the CS declares a public holiday, the ministry posts such on its social platforms.
Further, no media house has reported on such a holiday, a clear indicator that there is no such a holiday.
Kenya has six public holidays including Labour Day (May 1), Madaraka Day (June 1), Huduma Day (October 10), Mashujaa Day (October 20), Jamhuri Day (December 12) and Utamaduni Day (December 26).
Other holidays include New Year (January 1), Good Friday and Easter Monday (April), Eid-Ul-Filtr, Eid- Ul- Adha and Christmas Day.
March 20 is not recognised as a holiday in the Kenyan calendar.
The Gazette notice comes at a time when Azimio leader Raila Odinga has unlawfully declared the day a public holiday.
Making the announcement on Tuesday, Raila said this is to allow Azimio supporters to travel to participate in the mass action against what he termed as an illegitimate government.
"I hereby now declare today in the name of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance Coalition that Monday the 20th of March will be a public holiday," Raila said.
Kenyan law dictates that only the cabinet secretary in charge of the Interior Ministry can lawfully declare a public holiday.
The declaration has been translated as an act of impunity by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
"You cannot be walking around telling people you want somebody to observe the rule of law and you yourself are so blatantly breaking the same, giving fictitious declarations that have no legal basis," the Prime CS on Wednesday.