Ruto Signs Law Renaming a Public Holiday

President William Ruto has assented to the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Bill, 2023, effectively deleting Utamaduni Day as a public holiday. 

The Bill encompasses a wide range of amendments across various statutes, aiming to streamline legal processes and address inconsistencies.

Among the notable amendments proposed in the Bill are changes to the Oaths and Statutory Declarations Act, the Advocates Act, the Notaries Public Act, the Civil Procedure Act, and the Public Holidays Act. 

Specifically, the Public Holidays Act amendment entails the deletion of Utamaduni Day as a recognized public holiday.

Ruto Assents to Bill Rebranding Utamaduni Day

The Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Bill, 2023 marks a shift in Kenya’s holiday calendar as Utamaduni Day is rebranded to MazingiraDay.

This transformation according to the Office of the President came as part of a broader initiative to encourage environmental conservation and sustainability.

Previously celebrated on October 10th, Utamaduni Day held cultural significance, commemorating Kenya’s rich heritage and diversity.

However, with the renaming to Mazingira Day, the focus shifts towards environmental awareness and action, aligning with global efforts to address pressing ecological challenges such as climate change, increased floodings and extreme famine.

Moi Day, (unofficially referred as Huduma Day), was a public holiday observed in Kenya.

It was celebrated each year on October 10, honoring former Kenyan President Daniel Moi.

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Reinstatement of Moi Day/Huduma Day

Following the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya in August 2010, Moi Day was removed from the list of Kenyan national holidays.

However, on 8 November 2017, the High Court restored it as an October 10 public holiday.

Justice Odunga determined that the exclusion of Moi Day from the holiday calendar constituted an unlawful act and a violation of the Public Holidays Act.

“If Parliament intended to abolish the holiday, it should have done so through an amendment to the Public Holidays Act,” stated Judge Odunga.

In his ruling, Justice Odunga declared that the failure to observe October 10th as a public holiday was unlawful.

Furthermore, he stipulated that unless Parliament took action to amend the Act or the Minister designated an alternative date, October 10th would continue to be recognized as a public holiday each year.

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On 19 December 2019 the cabinet approved the renaming of Moi Day to Huduma Day.

“The renaming of the holiday is in line with President Moi’s desire that the day should be ‘commemorated as a day of service and volunteerism,” said Presidential Strategic Communications Unit.

Also, in the bill assented by President Ruto include Bills seeking to refine processes within the legal system, such as the administration of oaths by advocates, the appointment of notaries public, and the composition of committees like the Rules Committee under the Civil Procedure Act.

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