In Kenya, today is one of those days that is a holiday because Sunday was a holiday. Personally, I really don’t understand where the whole system of making Monday holidays if Sunday was the main holiday. But I guess it has something to do with most people taking Sunday as a Sabbath. I know I should probably research and tell you about it, but instead I will leave you to engage me in the comment section down below.
The holiday today is called Utamaduni Day and is a public holiday in Kenya observed on October 10th each year. The day has been set aside to celebrate the country’s rich cultural diversity and heritage.
Previously it was celebrated to honor Daniel Arap Moi, who was the former president of Kenya. Until 2020, this holiday was called Moi Day. It was renamed as Huduma Day, and then Utamaduni Day in December 2020. According to a statement from the President’s Strategic Communication Unit, the renaming of the national holiday is in line with former President Daniel Arap Moi’s desire that the day should be commemorated as a day of service and volunteerism.
How is this day celebrated?
The day is observed through national prayers that will highlight service and volunteerism to the community. Kenyans are encouraged to participate in the prayers and promote national unity, social justice, cohesion and sustainable development in their communities for the benefit of present and future generations.
You can also make it personal and opt to celebrate it by visiting one of our National Parks, Museums, Game Drives or the Bomas of Kenya, so as to connect with our heritage as Kenyans. Or maybe use this time to visit your grandparents, or spend time exchanging stories with friends about the different cultures you all hail from.
History of Utamaduni Day
Daniel Arap Moi was the second president of Kenya and the country’s longest-serving head of state, ruling from 1973 – 2002. Moi Day used to be celebrated on October 10th to mark his coming to power after the death of founding president Jomo Kenyatta, in August 1978. Moi then died on February 4th 2020, at the age of 95 and Moi Day was removed from the list of Kenya national holidays following the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya in August 2010.
However, it was reinstated in 2017 following a court ruling by the Supreme court, which reversed the decision of the parliament. Justice George Odunga said the 2010 nullification of Moi Day was a contravention of the Public Holidays Act. Justice Odunga noted that if parliament was of the view that Moi Day ought not to continue being considered as a public holiday, they should have amended the Act accordingly.
“I declare that unless and until Parliament amends Schedule 1 of the said Act or the minister substitutes the same for another date, the 10th of October in each year shall continue being a Public Holiday.”
Judge Odunga said Parliament had been wrong for not making amendments and forcing Kenyans to “toil on a day the law expressly directs to be a public holiday amounts to a violation of their rights unless the exception in section 5 of the Public Holiday Acts applies”.
In a government-sponsored bill tabled in the National Assembly, the state renamed Moi Day to Huduma Day then finally to Utamaduni Day. The changes made are contained in the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill, 2020, sponsored by Majority leader Aden Duale.
I bet a good number of millennials and gen Zs were not really aware of what national holiday today really is, well no worries, that’s why The Millenial News is here, to educate you on all matters that concern you. Happy Utamaduni Day!
Noanne ❤❤❤
The Millenial News 