Utamaduni Day To Be Celebrated As Public Holiday: Here Are The Plans

President William Ruto's Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has announced that Tuesday, October 10 will be celebrated as a public holiday at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi.

In a letter dated October 5 addressed to the Attorney General and All Cabinet Secretaries among other high-ranking state officials and obtained by Viral Tea, Koskei revealed that the State Department of Culture and Heritage has planned to hold a major cultural event at Bomas of Kenya to commemorate the day.

He added that the national celebration will be the first time a major activity takes place during Utamaduni Day, which until now was only a day left for Kenyans to conduct their own activities while observing the public holiday at the same time.

"This inaugural national celebration will act as an immersive cultural experience for both VIP guests and dignitaries and the general public.

Inside the amphitheatre at the Bomas of Kenya. /PHOTO.BOMAS OF KENYA

"The event will include live cultural performances by teams from eight (8) regions of Kenya, cultural exhibitions, arts and crafts from across the country, fashion shows and displays, cultural buffets and food sampling, panels of experts, children's storytelling programmes and others," Koskei explained how the major celebrations at Bomas would look like.

He added that the government wishes to leverage the cultural festival to promote, preserve and safeguard the cultural practices of the People of Kenya and encourage cultural exchange among Kenyan communities.

"The purpose of this letter is to invite you, and ask you to mobilize State Officials, members of the diplomatic core and other VIP guests to this unique cultural fete that will take place on 10th October 2023 from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. at the Bomas of Kenya headquarters (Lang'ata Road/Forest Edge Road) in Karen, Nairobi," he extended the invite to the high-ranking officials.

Culture, Arts and Heritage Principal Secretary (PS) Ummi Bashir further extended an invite to all Kenyans to Bomas of Kenya to witness the celebrations, sharing a poster which indicates that entry to the event is free.

"Uko na mpango? Sio wa kando. Ya kesho? Huna? Si tupatane Bomas basi (Do you have a plan? Not a side chick (sic), an actual plan for tomorrow. You don't have one? How about we meet at Bomas?)

"Come have an unforgettable Utamaduni Day experience," she posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Utamaduni Day is a public holiday in Kenya observed on October 10 every year to celebrate the country’s rich cultural diversity and heritage.

Previously it was celebrated to honour the late Daniel Arap Moi, who was the former president of Kenya. Until 2020, this holiday was called Moi Day before it was renamed Huduma Day, and then Utamaduni Day in December 2020.

The renaming of the national holiday was in line with former President Moi's desire that the day should be commemorated as a day of service and volunteerism.

The day was, before now, observed through national prayers that will highlight service and volunteerism to the community. Kenyans however are still encouraged to participate in the prayers and promote national unity, social justice, cohesion and sustainable development in their communities for the benefit of present and future generations. 

Moi Day was taken off the list of Kenya's national holidays following the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya in August 2010. However, it was reinstated in 2017 following a 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 the Public Holidays Act, adding that if Parliament was of the view that Moi Day ought not to continue being considered as a public holiday, they should have amended the Act accordingly.

"I declare that unless and until Parliament amends Schedule 1 of the said Act or the minister substitutes the same for another date, the 10th of October in each year shall continue being a Public Holiday," ruled Justice Odunga, without explaining how the day would be celebrated.

Utamaduni Day is the first out of two national holidays this month, with Mashujaa Day following 10 days later (Friday, October 20).