Kenya declares public holiday for Moi Day

Kenyan Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has declared Thursday October 10th as a public holiday for Moi Day.

“In line with the provisions of the Public Holidays Act (Cap 110, Laws of Kenya) and the decision of the court in Judicial Review No. 292 of 2017 (Republic v Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security Ex Parte G O Nyauchi & 4 Others) it is hereby confirmed that 10th October 2019 will be a public holiday.” the statement said.

The CS encouraged Kenyans to mark October 10 “with selfless acts of service to their community that seek to promote patriotism, national unity, social justice, cohesion and sustainable development in their communities for the benefit of present and future generations.”

Moi Day is celebrated on October 10th to mark Daniel Arap Moi coming to power in 1978.

Moi Day was removed from the list of Kenya national holidays following the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya in August 2010.

However, it was reinstated in 2017 following a court ruling by the Supreme court, which reversed the decision of the parliament. Justice George Odunga said the 2010 nullification of Moi Day was a contravention of Public Holidays Act.