Costly typo on Kenya Gazette gets Kenyans talking

Interior CS Fred Matiang’i declared Wednesday, June 9, 2019, a public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr but there was a glaring error in a notice that was widely shared on social media.

Hawk-eyed citizens noticed that the Kenya Gazette read ‘Pubic Holiday’ instead of ‘Public Holiday’ and although the error was corrected almost immediately, several screenshots had already been shared.

Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi also weighed in on the matter, albeit on a light note.

"PUBIC HOLIDAY"...Deliberate INSULT to MUSLIMS or do we blame cheap CHINESE printers at Government Press?” he asked.

“So someone typed on the gazette notice PUBIC holiday instead of PUBLIC holiday and got away with it. Times have changed...that would have crucified you in composition writing,” said another netizen.

“Pubic holiday act ndio gani?” asked another.

“I have never seen a Pubic Holiday can't wait to see one on Wednesday,” said one Peter Okwako.

The error was, however, corrected to ‘Public Holidays Act’ as it ought to be.

Idd-ul-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadhan; a period of prayer, fasting, reflection and community during which Muslims renew their faith and ask for divine intervention.

Kenyans of all faiths have been requested to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in marking the Holy Day.