Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thangwa has proposed for more public holidays in Kenya.
Karungo wa Thangwa in his proposal through the Public Holidays Amendment Bill, argues that when a public holiday falls on a Tuesday, the preceding day (Monday) should be a holiday.
Likewise, when a public holiday falls on a Thursday, the succeeding day (Friday) also becomes a holiday.
“Where in any year, a public holiday (a) falls on a Tuesday, then the preceding day, shall be a public holiday or (b) falls on a Thursday, the succeeding day shall also be a public holiday,” his amendment bill reads in part.
The Senator further argues that an extra off day would help employees prioritize their physical and mental well-being in the long run as well as induce productivity in various sectors.
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“Extending public holidays supports economic growth and promotes domestic tourism by encouraging longer trips and visits to new destinations, benefiting the hospitality and tourism industry,” Karungo stated.
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Karungo called on Kenyans to lobby their members respective members of parliament and senators to support his proposal when tabled before Parliament.
The Kiambu Senator mentioned other developed countries like the Philippines who he says embrace the holiday structure. In the Philippines, when Tuesday is a holiday, the following Monday is declared a special non-working day.
He also dismissed claims that Kenya would make losses for adopting that holiday structure.
Nonetheless, the Public Holidays Act gives the Interior Cabinet Secretary rights to declare a public holiday any day he deems fit through a gazette notice. The Act further grants the CS powers to either extend the holiday or even announce a holiday targeting a specific area.
“The Minister may at any time if he thinks fit, by notice in the Gazette, declare any day to be a public holiday either in addition to the days mentioned in the Schedule or in substitution for any of those days and either throughout Kenya or in any district, area or part thereof,” the Act reads in part.
moreover, the public holidays act also stipulates that the following Monday becomes a rest day when a public holiday falls on a Sunday.
