Mazingira Day

Mazingira Day, formerly celebrated as Moi Day, is a public holiday in Kenya. It is celebrated each year on 10 October and is dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainability. 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. Its initial purpose was to celebrate Moi's 10 year reign as head of state since his 1978 ascention to the Presidency. 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. 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.

On 19 December 2019, the cabinet approved the renaming of Moi Day to Huduma Day. Which was intended to celebrate national unity and community service. 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.Utamaduni is the Swahili word for "culture".

The Ruto administration rebranded the public holiday to Mazingira Day from Utamaduni Day. The changes were effected by the President on 24th April 2024.

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.

The theme for the 2026 Mazingira day was "Our Environment, Our Responsibility: Collective Action for Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship." The year's event was also held in Trans-Nzoia County.

In late 2023, the First Lady of Kenya, Rachel Ruto launched a new award: the First Lady's Mazingira Awards (FLAMA). Its an annual competition awarded each year on Mazingira day with patronage from the First Lady. Its aim is to fulfill the planting of 15 billion trees by 2032 and "nurture and empower learners as agents of change for environmental conservation and climate action and promote an environment-centred entrepreneurship culture among learners." 2024's theme was "Restore our Land, Secure our Future" in Swahili Turejeshe Ardhi Yetu, Tuhakikishe Mustakabali Wetu. The theme for the 2025 awards was "End Pollution - Conserve the Environment" or Komesha Uchafuzi - Hifadhi Mazingira in Swahili.

The 2026 FLAMA was a departure from the norm: instead of being awarded on Mazingira day, it was launched on Mazingira day. It's theme is "Climate Action: My Responsibility" in Swahili Hatua za Tabianchi: Jukumu Langu.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 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. ↑ "Government Intensifies Preparations for 2026 National Mazingira Day Celebrations". forestry.go.ke. State Department for Forestry. 10 October 2026. Archived from the original on 10 October 2026. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 "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.
  13. 1 2 "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.
  14. ↑ "First Lady's Mazingira Awards (FLAMA)". HundrED. December 2025 [2024]. Archived from the original on 18 July 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  15. 1 2 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.
  16. ↑ "FLAMA 2026 Edition". First Lady's Mazingira Awards (FLAMA). 16 October 2026. Archived from the original on 16 October 2026. Retrieved 16 October 2026.