Interior CS Matiang’i declares October 10 a public holiday
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has declared October 10 a public holiday, but failed to make any pronouncement on how the former Moi Day will be commemorated.
In a statement to newsrooms, the Interior CS alluded to a court ruling which restored the celebrations.
“In Judicial Review No. 292 of 2017 (Republic v Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security Ex Parte G O Nyauchi and 4 Others) the Court affirmed that the 10th of October remains a public holiday to be observed as such. Going by this decision therefore 10th of October shall be a public holiday,” he said.
Moi Day had been removed from the list of national holidays following the promulgation of the Constitution in August 2010, while others like Kenaytta Day were renamed.
However, a court ruling in November 2017 by Justice George Odunga reinstated the day to be marked as a holiday asserting its removal was in contravention of the Public Holidays Act.
According to Odunga, although Moi Day was not a national day, the celebration of fete as a public holiday did not contravene the Constitution.
He observed that unless the National Assembly changes the law to scrap it or the Interior CS substitutes it with another centenary, Kenyans are entitled to observe the day meant to celebrate the retired President Daniel arap Moi.
It is on that premise that Matiang’i the ministry was in the process of making proposals to Parliament for the comprehensive review of the Public Holidays Act, Cap 110 in line with Section 7 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution.He said, however, that were caught up with time.
“The review will address all outstanding matters with respect to public holidays and embrace the spirit of the Constitution on how our heroes will be celebrated,” he said.
Matiangi’s noted that as an emerging economy Kenyans needed to optimally utilise their time in working and building the Nation, asserting it is what advised the reduction of public holidays.
“In light of the Preamble in the Constitution of Kenya 2010 where we as people of Kenya adopted and enacted the Constitution to ourselves and to our future generations, we need to take pride in supporting economic advancement and the wellbeing of families and communities,” he said.
