Kiambu County Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa has withdrawn his controversial Public Holidays Bill, which sought to alter the way public holidays are observed in Kenya.
In a letter to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Thang’wa explained that he had decided to pull the bill ahead of its second hearing in order to focus on other legislation he believes are of greater national importance.
“I write to formally notify you of my decision to withdraw The Public Holidays Bill, which I am sponsoring, from further consideration in the Senate. The Bill is scheduled for the Second Reading in today’s Order Paper, but after careful consideration, I have opted to prioritize other legislative proposals that I believe are urgent and crucial for the nation,” the letter stated.
Thang’wa went on to list four key legislative proposals, with his top priority being the consolidation of bursary programs to make secondary education free for all.
In 2023, Thang’wa had introduced his proposal to amend the Public Holidays Act, focusing on how holidays that fall on Tuesdays and Thursdays are observed.
His suggestion was that when a holiday falls on a Tuesday, the preceding Monday should also be declared a holiday, and when a holiday falls on a Thursday, the following Friday should be observed as a holiday as well.
“Where any public holiday falls on a Tuesday, the preceding Monday shall be a public holiday, and where it falls on a Thursday, the succeeding Friday shall also be a public holiday,” the bill read.
Thang’wa defended his proposal, arguing that more holidays would boost the economy by encouraging domestic tourism, as Kenyans would take advantage of the extended breaks.
