Kenya marked its first-ever Mazingira Day on October 10th, 2024. Yet, many citizens were left puzzled, unsure of the significance of the holiday or what they were supposed to celebrate. This uncertainty was fueled by the frequent changes to the holiday’s name and purpose over the last several years.
Mazingira: New Name, Same Confusion
The holiday, which was initially recognized as Moi Day for nearly two decades, has seen multiple changes in the last six years. It has been renamed three times in under five years, leaving Kenyans perplexed. Initially meant to honor the country’s second president, Daniel Arap Moi, the holiday was removed following the 2010 Constitution and later reinstated in 2017.
President William Ruto added to the confusion when he mistakenly wished Kenyans a happy Utamaduni Day via X, formerly Twitter. He corrected the post an hour later, replacing it with a greeting for Mazingira Day. Many citizens were left wondering what exactly they were celebrating.
Questions on Kenya’s Mazingira Day
John Wambua, a resident of Nairobi, commented, “We don’t understand what’s going on. In the past, the government would organize celebrations, and we’d join in. Now, people don’t even know if it’s a holiday.”
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Other Kenyans echoed these sentiments. David from Nakuru noted that the significance of Environmental Day failed to resonate. “There’s no excitement. Even the grounds for celebration are empty,” he said, expressing a feeling shared by many.
History of Changes
Originally, October 10th was set aside as Moi Day to honor President Moi. It was also a day dedicated to community service, a tradition that many Kenyans observed for years. However, when the 2010 Constitution was passed, Moi Day was struck from the official list of public holidays.
In 2017, the High Court reinstated the holiday after ruling that it had been unlawfully removed. However, the ruling did not specify how the day should be observed. This opened the door for more changes.
In 2019, the government rebranded October 10th as Huduma Day, which aimed to promote acts of service to others. But this name didn’t last long. By 2020, the holiday had been renamed Utamaduni Day, a day to celebrate Kenya’s diverse cultural heritage. Then, in April 2024, President Ruto signed into law the Statute Law Miscellaneous Amendments Bill, which renamed the holiday Mazingira Day, to raise awareness of environmental issues.
Why Kenyans Remain Confused About Mazingira Day
The constant rebranding of this public holiday has left many Kenyans uncertain about its meaning. With three name changes over a span of just five years, it’s no surprise that many citizens don’t feel connected to it. Some believe the day has lost its significance.
In Nakuru County, for example, residents marked Huduma Day, unaware that the holiday had been renamed Mazingira Day. “They should just bring back Moi Day. No one understands what this environmental stuff is about. It’s like no one cares about the environment anyway,” said another resident, David Musyoka.
While the government aims to use the day to highlight environmental conservation, this message doesn’t seem to be reaching the public.
The challenge moving forward will be ensuring that citizens connect with the holiday’s new meaning and understand its importance.