Mazingira Day

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]

In late 2023, the First Lady of Kenya, Rachel Ruto launched a new award: the First Lady's Mazingira Awards (FLAMA).[11][12] It's an annual competition[13] awarded each year on Mazingira day with patronage from the First Lady.[14] It's aim is to fullfil the planting of 15 billion trees by 2032[14][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.[12] The theme for the 2025 awards was "End Pollution - Conserve the Environment" or Komesha Uchafuzi - Hifadhi Mazingira in Swahili.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b PSCU (19 December 2019). "Moi Day renamed Huduma Day, Boxing Day, Utamaduni Day". The Standard. Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Marita, Bosco (10 October 2025). "How October 10 Utamaduni Day was renamed Mazingira Day". Retrieved 6 February 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  3. ^ a b Wanambisi, Laban (10 October 2024). "Kenya Marks First Mazingira Day as CS Duale Urges National Participation in Environmental Conservation". Capital FM. Retrieved 5 February 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. ^ "Mazingira Day 2025: Growing Hope, Greening Kenya". State Department for Cabinet Affairs. 10 October 2025. Archived from the original on 9 November 2025. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  5. ^ a b Kulundu, Mary (9 November 2017). "October 10: Why Moi Day Stopped Being a Holiday". Pulse Kenya. Pulse Africa. Retrieved 3 February 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ^ "Constitution of Kenya (2010)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 November 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  7. ^ Walter, Dzuya (8 November 2017). "Moi Day restored as public holiday". Citizen Digital. Retrieved 6 February 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ^ Makhanu, Mabonga (9 October 2025). "From honouring the president to saving the planet: Kenya's evolution from Moi Day to Mazingira Day". People Daily. Retrieved 7 February 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. ^ "It's official! October 10 public holiday renamed Mazingira Day". Daily Nation. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  10. ^ Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng'eno [@Eng_F_Ngeno] (30 September 2025). "Mazingira Day will be held on 10th October 2025, following its establishment under the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2024" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 February 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter). The 2025 celebrations, themed "Citizen Centric Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship"{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. ^ a b c "First Lady's Mazingira Awards (FLAMA) 2025 launched". Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. 6 June 2025. Archived from the original on 6 June 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  12. ^ a b "First Lady Mama Rachel unveils environmental award for learners". The Star. 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  13. ^ "First Lady's Mazingira Awards (FLAMA)". HundrED. December 2025 [2024]. Archived from the original on 18 July 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  14. ^ a b Openda, Joseph (8 October 2025). "Plan to include all schools in First Lady Mazingira Awards". Daily Nation. Archived from the original on 18 October 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
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