Kenya's October 10 Public holiday has been renamed Mazingira Day, from Utamaduni Day.
The changes were effected after President William Ruto on Wednesday assented to the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill.
"The Bill amends the Public Holidays Act (Cap. 110) to substitute Utamaduni Day with Mazingira Day as a public holiday to be observed on 10th October every year," a brief on the Bill reads.
"This seeks to complement government efforts towards environmental protection and conservation."
The new law effects amendments to at least 16 Acts of Parliament.
Mazingira Day, according to the new changes will be a day for all Kenyans to participate in environment conservation activities.
This will include tree planting in line with the government’s efforts towards accelerating forest restoration and ensuring that 15 Billion trees are planted by 2032.
This is one of the initiatives by the government of Kenya aimed at addressing the effects of climate change.
October 10 was previously celebrated as Moi Day before it was scrapped by the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
It was later reinstated by the Court in 2017 and later on renamed Huduma Day.
In 2020, then Interior and Coordination of National Government CS Fred Matiang'i gazetted it as Utamaduni Day.
