Diwali: Fred Matiang’i Dismisses Claims Monday, October 24, Is Public Holiday

• A photo purporting to be a gazette notice attributed to the outgoing Interior CS Fred Matiang’i declaring Monday a holiday emerged online
• However, taking to Twitter on Sunday, October 23, Matiang’i trashed the gazette notice as fake, urging Kenyans to ignore it
• Diwali is a religious festival of lights celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world including Kenya

Last week, there was speculation that the government would declare today, Monday, October 24, a public holiday to allow Kenyans to observe the Diwali festival.

A photo would then go viral on social media, purporting to be a gazette notice attributed to the outgoing Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i declaring Monday a holiday.

However, taking to Twitter on Sunday, October 23, the Interior Ministry trashed the gazette notice as fake, urging Kenyans to ignore it.

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“Our attention has been drawn to a purported Gazette notice declaring Monday, October 24, a public holiday. Members of the public are advised that this is fake notice that should be ignored,” the ministry said.

Hindu festival

Diwali is a religious festival of lights celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world.

The festival usually lasts five days or six in some regions of India.

Diwali symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It is particularly associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity.

In India, it also marks the beginning of the financial year.

Low turnout at Uhuru Gardens as Kenyans Mark Mashujaa Day

In other news, the attendance by Kenyans at Uhuru Gardens, where this year’s Mashujaa Day fete was held, was seemingly below par.

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A spot check into the venue established a low turnout, as evidenced by the empty seats even after the arrival of President William Ruto, who is presiding over the event.

By the time of press, the venue was half-filled as entertainment groups took to the main arena to put up their respective performances to charm the dignitaries.

Kenyans on social media attributed the unimpressive turnout to the sorry state of the economy that continue to bedevil their compatriots.

Others argued that Ruto’s tenure is yet to court many Kenyans who have been opposed to it since its first day.

Source: TUKO.co.ke