Kenya Time, Public Holidays and Business Hours
Kenya Holidays
Kenya has a single time zone- which is GMT+3. Most businesses in Kenya are open from Monday to Friday, though some also trade on Saturday. Business hours are generally 9:00am to 5:00pm, closing for an hour over lunch (1:00pm – 2:00pm).
Kenyan Public holidays include:
- 1st January – New Years Day
- Idd il Fitr *
- March/April Good Friday**
- March/April Easter Monday**
- 1st May – Labour Day
- 1st June – Madaraka Day
- 10th – October Moi Day
- 20th – October Kenyatta Day
- 12th December – Jamhuri Day
- 25th December Christmas Day
- 26th December Boxing Day
*The Muslim Festival of Idd il Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadhan. The date varies each year depending on the sighting of a new moon in Mecca.
** Dates for the Christian festival of Easter vary from year to year.
Kenya Business Hours
Government operational hours:
8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Monday to Friday with a one-hour lunch break.
Private-sector operational hours: Most businesses in Kenya are open from Monday to Friday, though some also trade on Saturday. Business hours are generally 9:00am to 5:00pm, closing for an hour over lunch (1:00pm – 2:00pm).
Banking hours: 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m., Banks are open from 9:00am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday. Some branches open on Saturdays from 9:00am to 11:00am. Many banks are now equipped with 24 hour ATM machines. The Bank branches at Jomo Kenyatta International airport (Nairobi) and Moi International Airport both run 24 hour forex services.
Shopping hours: Most shops are open from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on weekdays. Some are also open during weekends from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Most shopping malls stay open until around 8 p.m while others operate 24-hours.