Mazingira Day
Kenyan holiday, 10 October
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mazingira Day, formerly celebrated as Moi Day, is a public holiday in Kenya.[1] It is celebrated each year on 10 October and is dedicated to environmental conservation[2][3] and sustainability.[4] It can also be described as a national day of unity to address ecological challenges.
The name mazingira is Swahili for "the environment".
History
Moi Day was established as a national holiday in 1988, under the rule of Kenyan President, Daniel Moi.[5] Its initial purpose was to celebrate Moi's 10 year reign as head of state since his 1978 ascention to the Presidency.[5] It evolved to honour the former President.
Following the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya in August 2010, Moi Day was removed from the list of Kenyan national holidays.[6][2] However, on 8 November 2017, Justice George Odunga of the High Court termed its removal as a violation of "Section 2(1) as read with part 1 of the schedule to the Public Holidays Act" of the Constitution and ruled for its restoration.[7]
On 19 December 2019, the cabinet approved the renaming of Moi Day to Huduma Day.[1][2] Which was intended to celebrate national unity and community service.[2] The word huduma is Swahili for "service" or "care". It was renamed yet again; this time to Utamaduni day when then Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i gazetted it as such with the goal of celebrating the country's rich cultural diversity.[2][3]Utamaduni is the Swahili word for "culture".[8]
The Ruto administration rebranded the public holiday to Mazingira Day from Utamaduni Day.[2] The changes were effected by the President on 24th April 2024.[9]
Events
The theme for the 2025 Mazingira day was "Citizen Centric Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship." The national event was held at Kabuyefwe Primary School in Trans-Nzoia County.[10]
Related award
In late 2023, the First Lady of Kenya, Rachel Ruto launched a new award: the First Lady's Mazingira Awards (FLAMA).[11][2] It's an annual competition[12] awarded each year on Mazingira day with patronage from the First Lady.[13] It's aim is to fullfil the planting of 15 billion trees by 2032[13][11] and "nurture and empower learners as agents of change for environmental conservation and climate action and promote an environment-centred entrepreneurship culture among learners."[2] 2024's theme was "Restore our Land, Secure our Future" in Swahili Turejeshe Ardhi Yetu, Tuhakikishe Mustakabali Wetu.[2] The theme for the 2025 awards was "End Pollution - Conserve the Environment" or Komesha Uchafuzi - Hifadhi Mazingira in Swahili.[11]
See also
- Jamhuri Day – National holiday in Kenya
- Public holidays in Kenya
