The government through the ministry of interior has declared Saturday a public holiday to be marked through prayer and community work.
Interior CS Fred Matiang’i in a statement announced October 10 as Huduma Day in the exercise of the powers conferred by Cap 110 of the Public Holidays Act.
The CS, in a press release, “Kenyans are 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,” he said.
The development follows a call by president Uhuru Kenyatta for an interfaith National prayer day to be held at statehose Nairobi on the same day,as announced by statehose spokesperson Kanze Dena
“His Excellency the President has dedicated the forthcoming weekend, Friday 9th to Sunday 11th October 2020, a national weekend of prayer during which Kenyans are encouraged to pray for the country in their usual places of worship in compliance with Covid-19 containment protocols,” a statement from State House Spokesperson Kanze read in part.
In the past October 10 was referred to as Moi Day, and was a public holiday.
The promulgation of the 2010 constitution marked the end of it, hence the government through a judicial review has retained the day as public holiday
“In Judicial Review, No. 292 of 2017 (Republic v Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security Ex Parte G O Nyauchi & 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 October shall be a public holiday,” explained Matiang’i in a statement released back in October 8, 2018.
