Thousands of Muslims in the country will today join others across the world to celebrate Eid al-Adha, a significant religious festival.
The feast of the sacrifice, which comes after Eid al-Fitr, marks the final day of the annual pilgrimage called Hajj, where muslims travel to Mecca. It takes place in the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
On Monday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki declared today a public holiday.
Yesterday, Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) Secretary General Sheikh Khalifa Mohamed said the festival reminds muslims of the values of sacrifice, obedience, gratitude and caring for others.
"It is a ceremony to celebrate the sacrifice of Nabii Ibrahim when he set out to sacrifice his son Ismail who was substituted with a goat," he said.
After the Eid prayers, muslims will slaughter animals as a remembrance of Ibrahim's readiness to slaughter his son. The meat is divided into three equal portions: the first portion is for family, the second for neighbours and friends, and the other for the less privileged in society.
At least 4,000 Kenyans travelled to Mecca to perform the pilgrimage, an obligation that must be carried out at least once in a lifetime by every able-bodied muslim who can afford it.
Other pillars of islam are faith (Shahada), prayers (said five times a day), fasting and offering of Zakat, a charity to the poor amounting to one-fifth of one's wealth.
"It encourages acts of charity as muslims are encouraged to give to the poor and needy during this time and it reinforces the importance of community, empathy, and the spirit of sharing," said Sheikh Khalifa.
The pilgrimage takes the faithful along a path traversed by the Prophet Muhammad some 1,400 years ago where believers commemorate Abraham's plan to sacrifice his only son Ismael.
But as Abraham was leading his son to his fate, God (Allah) sent him a sheep to replace Ishmael at the sacrificial place and since then Muslims worldwide slaughter livestock to commemorate the occasion.
During the early morning Eid prayers, Muslims across the country usually gather in open grounds and in some mosques led by imams or muslim leaders to offer prayers.
The prayers usually remind them of the values of sacrifice, obedience to God and compassion for others through the sacrifice of a goat, sheep, cow or camel.
Eid al-Adha also allows muslims to come together and strengthen their bonds of friendship and kinship.
In Mombasa, livestock traders at the Mwembe Tayari Market reported booming business as muslims bought goats and sheep for the celebrations.
Photos by Elvis Ogina and Samson Wire
