October 10: Why Moi Day Stopped Being a Holiday

mary kulundu

November 9, 2017 12:44 PM

Full details why Kenyans stopped celebrating Moi Day

The first time Kenya did not celebrate Moi day since it came into existence in 1988 was on October 10, 2010.

10/10/10 which, according to numerologists, occurs once in 100 years. The row of perfect tens also symbolizes wisdom.

The day was celebrated last in 2009 then stopped being a Public Holiday. The day simply became a normal working day in Kenya which many to date still wish it could still be a day off work.

Why was Moi Day scrapped off?

Kenyans started celebrating Moi Day simply to mark retired President Daniel Moi’s 10 years in power since he became the Head of State in 1978. The Public Holiday was scraped off during the Promulgation of the New 2010 Constitution.

In 2010, then Government Spokesperson Alfred Mutua informed the country that October 10 would not be a holiday in complies with the new constitution.

According to the newly adopted law, only three days were recognized as National Holidays which include: Madaraka Day, marked on June 1, Mashujaa Day, which replaced Kenyatta Day and is observed on October 20, and Jamhuri Day, celebrated on December 12.

Moi Day is back

On Wednesday, a ruling by High Court Judge Justice George Odunga, could revive the day again.

According to the Judge, the omission to have October 10 observed as a public holiday is an illegality and a contravention of the Public Holidays Act.

"Unless Parliament amends Schedule 1 of the Public Holidays Act or the minister substitutes the same for another date, October 10 in each year shall continue being a public holiday, Judge Odunga said.

The case filed by Gragory Oriaro Nyaechi who argued that it was illegal not to observe the holiday as the law scrapping it off was not repealed.

mary kulundu