The Public Holidays (Amendment) Bill, 2023
Status Timeline
Proposed
Active now
Public Review
Pending
Debate
Pending
Executive
Pending
Final
Pending
Monday Extensions for Tuesday Holidays
Under the proposed section 3A(a), if a public holiday under Part 1 of the schedule falls on a Tuesday, the preceding Monday (if not already a holiday) will also be declared a public holiday.
Friday Extensions for Thursday Holidays
Under the proposed section 3A(b), if a public holiday under Part 1 of the schedule falls on a Thursday, the succeeding Friday (if not already a holiday) will also be declared a public holiday.
Boosting Local Tourism and Hospitality
The extension of holidays into longer weekends is explicitly intended to support economic growth. By allowing Kenyans to take longer trips, the Bill seeks to promote the local hospitality and tourism industries.
Bill No.
Senate Bills No. 31 of 2023
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 116
Sponsor
Karungo Wa Thang'wa
Background
The Public Holidays (Amendment) Bill, 2023, introduced by Senator Karungo Wa Thang'wa, seeks to address the disruptive nature of midweek public holidays. Under current arrangements, a holiday falling on a Tuesday or Thursday often results in a single-day break that limits travel opportunities. By formalizing holiday extensions, the Bill aims to give workers adequate time to rest, support physical and mental health, and bolster the domestic tourism and hospitality sectors through longer travel windows.
Key Amendments
The Bill amends the Public Holidays Act by inserting a new Section 3A immediately after Section 3:
- Section 3A(a) — Tuesday Holidays: Whenever a public holiday under Part 1 of the schedule falls on a Tuesday, the preceding day (Monday), provided it is not already a public holiday, shall also be designated as a public holiday.
- Section 3A(b) — Thursday Holidays: Whenever a public holiday under Part 1 of the schedule falls on a Thursday, the succeeding day (Friday), provided it is not already a public holiday, shall also be designated as a public holiday.
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