Muslims begin Eid-ul-Adha celebrations countrywide (Photos)

Muslim faithful gathered for Eid-ul-Adha prayers at Ummu Kulthum Mosque in Kizingo, Mombasa on June 6, 2025. [Robert Menza, Standard]

Muslim faithful have gathered across the country for Eid-ul-Adha prayers signalling the start of the four day festival.

On Wednesday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen gazetted today as a public holiday to mark Islam’s second largest festival, after Eid-ul-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan fasting.

A spot check by The Standard showed large crowds of Muslims congregating at different locations, including in open-air spaces, to pray ahead of feasts and celebrations that are usually associated with the day.

In Mombasa, the solemn occasion was held at various venues dotting the coastal city. The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Joho was among congregants who gathered at the Ummu Kulthum Mosque in Kizingo.

Muslim faithful gathered for Eid-ul-Adha prayers at Ummu Kulthum Mosque in Kizingo, Mombasa on June 6, 2025. [Robert Menza, Standard]

At the same time, special prayers were being offered at the Tononoka grounds.

Muslims hold Eid-ul-Adha prayers at Tononoka grounds in Mombasa County on June 6, 2025. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

Meanwhile, the celebrations have continued in Kisumu where the early morning prayers went on at Highway ECDE Primary and Junior School near Kibuye Market.

Muslim faithful pray at Highway ECDE Primary and Junior School in Kisumu on June 6, 2025. [Rodgers Otiso, Standard]

In Turkana County, prayers were held at Lodwar’s Jamia Mosque. Sheikh Abdullah Sheikh who led the ceremony urged the national government to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in the volatile Todonyang area, along the Kenya - Ethiopia border where fishermen were recently killed by foreigners.

He called on the government to protect the fishermen, and citizens, from the ambush attacks.

Muslims faithful in Turkana County gather for Eid-ul-Adha prayers at Jamia Mosque in Lodwar on June 6, 2025. [Rashid Lorogoi, Standard]

On his part, Wajir Governor, Ahmed Abdullahi, used today’s occasion to emphasise the need for peace and unity.

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi joins thousands of Muslim faithful at Orahey Grounds, in Wajir town, to mark Eid-ul-Adha on June 6, 2025. [Ahmed Hussein, Standard]

The festival is famous for its feast of goats which muslim faithful traditionally share with family, friends, relatives and the poor.

Residents of Mombasa buying goats to slaughter during Eid-ul-Adha on Friday June 6, 2025. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

The slaughter of goats is symbolic of Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience when he showed willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as per Allah’s wish but a sacrifice of a ram was accepted by Allah following Ibrahim’s show of faith.

Muslims in Nairobi's South C slaughter goats during Eid-ul-Adha celebrations on June 6, 2025. [Benard Orwongo, Standard]

Eid-ul-Adha coincides with the annual pilgrimage to Mecca which happens in Dhu-al-Hijjah, the last month in Islam’s lunar calendar. 

The day’s greeting is ‘Eid Mubarak’