The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry has declared Thursday, October 10, 2024, a public holiday.
In a statement, the Ministry indicated that Kenyans would commemorate the day to mark Mazingira Day.
Further, the statement indicated that Kenyans would have the opportunity to accelerate environmental protection and raise awareness of the triple planetary crises of climate change.
Other matters that will be highlighted on the day include biodiversity loss and pollution.
“It calls for urgent meaningful actions from both government and citizens to ensure prosperity and sustainability for present and future generations. To celebrate Mazingira Day, all Kenyans are therefore encouraged to participate in environmental conservation,” the statement read in part.
Mazingira Day is marked to accelerate environmental protection and raise awareness on climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution and calls for urgent meaningful actions from both government and citizens in efforts to ensure prosperity and sustainability.
According to the Ministry, Mazingira Day aligns with the government’s goal to restore hectares of degraded land.
“Aligned with the National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Programme, Mazingira Day supports the goal of restoring 10.6 million hectares of degraded land by planting 15 billion trees by the year 2032, through a whole of Government and Society approach,” the Ministry added.
A Call to Kenyans on Mazingira Day Holiday
To celebrate Mazingira Day, Kenyans are encouraged to participate in environmental conservation initiatives such as clean-up activities to get rid of unwanted waste from homes, roads, parks, beaches, and other areas.
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Kenyans have also been urged to engage in tree planting in their homes, schools, and other suitable spaces to foster ecosystem restoration efforts, which aim to grow 15 billion trees by 2032 to address the effects of climate change.
The Ministry also implored citizens to organize and attend forums and get involved in activities that highlight pollution control and good waste management practices.
The Launch of Mazingira Day
In 2024, President William Ruto changed Utamaduni Day to Mazingira Day following an amendment to the Public Holidays Act.
October 10 is observed as a national holiday every year to enhance efforts to protect the members and foster responsibility among members of the public.
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This comes as the world continues to grapple with the effects of climate change that have seen floods displace people, wildfires destroy land and properties, and droughts ravage communities in Africa and other parts of the world.
The United Nations will hold the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (Cop29) in November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan to push for climate change policies to protect the globe.
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