Thousands of Kenyan faithful attended services across the country to mark Good Friday to commemorate Christ’s Crucifixion almost 2,000 years ago, three days before He rose again on Easter Sunday.
Eastern Orthodox and some Eastern Catholics celebrate Easter on April 24, this year.
Some took the opportunity to flock to entertainment joints to engage in outdoor activities on the first Easter weekend in three years without Covid-19 restrictions put in place by the national government to curb the Covid-19 virus spread.
Despite Kenyans decrying the harsh economic times in the country local residents appeared ready on Friday to celebrate the three main religious celebrations this weekend – Vaisakhi, Passover and Easter.
The sun barely shone in Nairobi on Good Friday, a B.C. statutory holiday, but a little rain didn’t deter families from visiting their favourite Nyama Choma joints with some taking the opportunity to pray and worship in their respective places of worship.
“Now the kids can run around,” said Karathe. “It’s a lot more different now and It’s so nice to see people out this year,” said Joan and Njeri from Kasarani, who took their time to worship at the All Saint’s Cathedral, Nairobi, with her husband, Muhia, and their kids, Ethan, six, and Damian, three.
She had no concern about not wearing a mask outdoors, and she has already gone maskless to a football and rugby function and had even travelled outside the country for an indoor concert.
“It’s nice to be able to get the masks over with and be able to enjoy,” said Joan.
In a rare convergence, Passover, Easter and Ramadhan, the Muslim month of daytime fasting, prayer and community, coincide this year. Ramadhan ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr on May 1-2.
Mombasa County recorded a booming business following a huge number of both local and international tourists flocking the coast town to enjoy Easter holidays.
Businessmen and women in the area were elated and are hopeful they will make profits despite the rains, urging Kenyans to come out in large numbers and enjoy the moment.
In Lamu, faithful there called on Kenyans to pray for the country especially during this electioneering period and urged them to maintain peace during and after the voting.