Monday October 11 declared public holiday, Kenyans to mark Utamaduni day for the first time

NAIROBI,Kenya, Oct, 6 – Monday October 11, 2021, has been declared a public holiday.

Kenyans will for the first time celebrate Utamaduni day, which will now seek to, “recognize and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Kenya in a manner that promotes unity, national cohesion and economic progress in the country,” according to a statement by Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i.

According to section 2 and 4 of the Public Holidays Act (Cap 110) the day will now be celebrated annually on October 10.

This year’s inaugural celebration falls on a Sunday, according to the Act however, if a public holiday falls on a Sunday, “then the first succeeding day, not being a public holiday, shall be a public holiday and the first mentioned day shall cease to be a public holiday,”

Kenyans have traditionally for decades marked October 10 as Moi day. 

In 2019, Moi day was initially renamed as Huduma Day in changes approved by the cabinet. They resolved that the decision was in line with the former president’s desire of service and volunteerism.

Subsequently,Boxing Day which is marked globally on December 26 had been renamed Utamaduni day. According to the Public Holidays Act, December 26 will now remain Boxing Day.

A government sponsored bill in 2020 sought to rename Moi day as Utamaduni day. The changes were contained in the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill, 2020, sponsored by former Majority leader of the National Assembly Aden Duale.

Years after the promulgation of the new constitution (2010) Moi day was removed as a public holiday.

A court ruling in November 2017 reinstated the day on grounds that its removal was in contravention of the Public Holidays Act.

“Although Moi Day was not a national day, the celebration of that day as a public holiday did not contravene the Constitution,” Ruled Justice George Odunga.

Odunga ruled that failure to observe the day would be an illegality and breach of the Public Holidays Act unless parliament changed the law or the Cabinet Secretary responsible substituted the day with another.