Matiang'i angers Kenyans after new order

juma chrispinus

August 31, 2017 8:29 AM

All Ugandans will be celebrating Idd Ul Adha as a public holiday

Hundreds of Kenyans have expressed their displeasure in the latest order by acting Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang’i.

On Wednesday, Dr Mating’i gazetted a Friday as a public holiday strictly for Muslims, a move that has seen Christian feel discriminated against.

Matiang’i directed that non-Muslims report to work as usual.

“Employers should allow them [Muslims] to be away from work, but for non-Muslims, this will be a normal working day,” he said in a notice.

He divulged that the holiday is only listed for Muslims, but plans are underway to cover all Kenyans. He said a bill will be presented to Parliament to make it a national public holiday.

Idd Ul Adha, also called the ‘Sacrifice Feast’, is celebrated worldwide every year. Muslims honour Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac as an act of obedience to God.

Following the announcement, Kenyans on Twitter accused the government of discriminating against non-Muslims.

Some asked whether Muslims will work on Christmas Day and the Easter holiday — events marked by Christians.

One user said he would have sought court orders “were it not for the busy schedule judges have” — apparently in reference to the NASA presidential petition at the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile in Uganda and Ghana, all public servants will be observing the day as a public holiday, irrespective of their religion.

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