NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 24 – The government has now declared Thursday a public holiday following the visit by Pope Francis who arrives in the country on Wednesday evening.
State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu said in a statement the government has decided to dedicate it as a national day of prayer and reflection.
“The Government of Kenya has declared 26th November 2015 a Public Holyday and a National Day of Prayer and Reflection.
As we are privileged to be hosting His Holiness the Pope at the time, he will set the tone for the day,” Esipisu said.
Earlier, the government had said there will be no holiday but instead asked employers to give their employees time to attend events planned during the Pope’s two days visit in Kenya.
The Pope is expected to preside over an open mass at University of Nairobi grounds.
He will also lead the youth in a forum at the Kasarani Stadium in which youths in their thousands are expected to attend.
Most Kenyans have expressed their interest in attending the historical events when the country is hosting a Pope 20 years after the last visit by Pope John Paul II.
