How October 10 Utamaduni Day was renamed Mazingira Day

Kenyans are today marking Mazingira Day, a public holiday that has undergone several transformations over the years before taking its current form.

The day, celebrated annually on October 10, was previously known as Utamaduni Day, and before that, Moi Day,  in honor of the late President Daniel arap Moi.

The renaming of Utamaduni Day to Mazingira Day was effected in April 2024 after President William Ruto assented to the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill.

The Bill amended the Public Holidays Act (Cap. 110) to replace Utamaduni Day with Mazingira Day as a public holiday to be observed on October 10 every year.

A brief on the amendment stated that the change was part of government efforts to promote environmental protection and conservation.

“The Bill amends the Public Holidays Act to substitute Utamaduni Day with Mazingira Day as a public holiday to be observed on October 10 every year. This seeks to complement government efforts towards environmental protection and conservation,” it read.

According to the new law, Mazingira Day is dedicated to encouraging all Kenyans to participate in environmental conservation activities, including tree planting, to help restore the country’s forest cover.

The initiative aligns with the government’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 as part of its broader strategy to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The evolution of this public holiday traces back to Moi Day, which was established to honor President Moi’s legacy.

However, the 2010 Constitution removed Moi Day from the list of national holidays.

In 2017, the High Court reinstated it, ruling that its removal was unconstitutional, and directed the government to recognize it as a public holiday.

Two years later, on December 19, 2019, the Cabinet approved the renaming of Moi Day to Huduma Day, reflecting a shift toward celebrating community service and national unity.

In 2020, then Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i gazetted the day as Utamaduni Day, emphasizing the celebration of Kenya’s rich cultural diversity.

Finally, in 2024, President Ruto’s administration rebranded the day as Mazingira Day, signaling a national call to environmental stewardship.

Today, Kenyans across the country are expected to take part in activities such as tree planting, cleanup exercises, and environmental awareness campaigns, reinforcing the message that protecting nature is a shared national responsibility.

Mazingira Day now stands not only as a day of rest but also as a symbol of Kenya’s renewed commitment to safeguarding the environment for future generations.