The National Assembly has invited the public to submit their views on the removal of Utamaduni Day as a public holiday.
The bill to have Utamaduni day removed was sponsored into parliament by Leader of Majority, Kimani Ichungwah.
In the notice signed by the clerk of National Assembly, Samuel Njoroge, the parliament also sought public views on a myriad of issues.
Further, the notice specified that the constitution requires parliament to facilitate public participation and involvement in the legislative and other business of parliament.
“Whereas Article 118(1) (b) of the constitution requires parliament to facilitate public participation and involvement in the legislative and other business of Parliament and its Committees and Standing Order 127(3) of the National Assembly Standing Orders requires House Committees considering Bills to facilitate public participation,” the notice read in part.
Consequently, the bill had its first reading on November 15, 2023, and thereafter referred to the relevant departmental committees for consideration and reporting to the house.
About Utamaduni Day
Of note, the number of public holidays in the country has been quite a thorn in the flesh with a section of leaders noting that the country has an excess number of holidays.
Utamaduni day, previously known as Moi day, is celebrated on the 10th of October.
Furthermore, the holiday was first gazetted in 2022 by the then Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiangi.
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“It is hereby notified that Monday, 10th October 2022, will be a public holiday (Utamaduni Day),” read the gazette notice.
Additionally, Matiang’i said Kenyans should honor the holiday by recognizing Kenya’s rich cultural diversity in a manner that promotes unity, national cohesion, and economic progress.
Other Revisions Specified in the Bill Tabled Before Parliament
Other than the scrapping of Utamaduni day, the bill also invited public views on other issues such as the traffic act, the industrial training act, the employment act, the universities act and the veterinary surgeons and veterinary paraprofessionals act.
Most of the proposed amendments of these bills were minor, including spelling errors, and the changing of minor clauses.
However, of note is that the bill also proposed an amendment in the Universities Act, 2012.
It seeks to provide for the declaration of technical universities that are or were national polytechnics and possess the facilities and human resource necessary to operate as technical universities.
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“It further proposes to amend section 56[1] of the Act to require t the Board of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service to place both privately sponsored and government sponsored students in universities and colleges,” the notice specified.
