October 10th was one of the National holidays in Kenya until 2010 when the new Constitution scrapped it off from the list.
Article 9 (2) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 introduced “national days” which now include Madaraka day (1st June), Mashujaa day (20th October) – renamed after the then Kenyatta day – and Jamhuri day (12th December), leaving out Moi Day.
Though the three holidays have a significant meaning behind it, the relevance of Moi Day and why it was even established has remained unknown to many.
The day was gazetted in 1989, to celebrate then President Daniel Moi’s 10 years in power, a holiday that was marked by national celebrations across the country.
However, after he left office in 2002, the holiday stopped gaining countrywide recognition with national celebrations on that day being halted.
Nonetheless, Mr Moi called on people to dedicate the day to helping the needy.
Though the Constitution scrapped Moi Day from the calender, it is interesting that the Public Holiday Act, Chapter 110 of the Laws of Kenya which lists public holidays in Kenya, continues to recognise it as one.
