- The Public Holidays (Amendment) Bill, 2023 aims to extend long weekends by declaring the preceding Monday a public holiday when a holiday falls on a Tuesday.
- Likewise, it suggests designating the succeeding Friday as a public holiday when a holiday falls on a Thursday.
Image: FILE
Kenyans will be enjoying a four-day weekend whenever a public holiday falls on Tuesday or Thursday if a Bill before the Senate sails through.
Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang'wa says the main primary objective of his proposed legislation is to put the well-being of Kenyan workers first and to invigorate the tourism industry.
If passed, Kenyans will enjoy 4-day weekends when a public holiday falls on certain days
The Public Holidays (Amendment) Bill, 2023 aims to extend long weekends by declaring the preceding Monday a public holiday when a holiday falls on a Tuesday.
Likewise, it suggests designating the succeeding Friday as a public holiday when a holiday falls on a Thursday.
“Public holidays are designed to provide workers with time off from their jobs to rest and recharge, spend time with family and friends, and celebrate important events or traditions, and are often associated with travel and tourism,” Bill says.
It further says extending public holidays can help ensure that workers have enough time to fully enjoy their time off and take care of their physical and mental health.
“Public holidays also seek to support economic growth, as they are often associated with travel and tourism, and extending public holidays may encourage Kenyans to take longer trips or visit destinations farther away from their homes. Essentially, such an extension would promote the hospitality and tourism industries,” it adds.
Thang’wa says public holidays are designed to provide workers with time off from their jobs to rest and recharge, spend time with family and friends, and celebrate important events or traditions, and are often associated with travel and tourism
He says the Philippines and other countries have successfully implemented similar measures, which have boosted tourism and improved the well-being of workers.
In 2023, for instance, three holidays would qualify for the extended weekend provision: Madaraka Day, Huduma Day, and Jamhuri Day.
The senator argues that the Bill will reduce the country's reliance on international tourists.
“All Kenyans including in counties are entitled to enjoy the public holidays under Part 1 of the schedule to the Public Holidays Act. Under the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution, Kenyans living and working m the counties are entitled to cultural activities, recreational facilities and sports for which Kenyans would travel between different counties,” the Bill says.
The Bill says it does not delegate legislative powers nor does it limit fundamental rights and freedoms.