Kenyans across the country are today marking Mazingira Day, a public holiday dedicated to environmental conservation through activities such as tree planting, clean-up exercises, and awareness campaigns.
The day, celebrated annually on October 10, has undergone several transformations before taking its current form.
Originally known as Moi Day, the holiday was established to honor Kenya’s second president, Daniel arap Moi. However, after the 2010 Constitution, Moi Day was scrapped from the list of national holidays.
In 2017, the High Court reinstated it, ruling that its removal was unconstitutional, and directed the government to recognize it once again.
In the years that followed, the holiday evolved to reflect Kenya’s shifting priorities. The Cabinet renamed Moi Day to Huduma Day in December 2019, emphasizing community service and national unity.
A year later, then–Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i gazetted the day as Utamaduni Day, to celebrate Kenya’s cultural diversity.
The most recent transformation came in April 2024, when President William Ruto assented to the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, which amended the Public Holidays Act (Cap. 110) to rename Utamaduni Day to Mazingira Day.
The amendment stated that the change sought to complement government efforts in environmental protection and conservation.
According to the new law, Mazingira Day is dedicated to encouraging all Kenyans to participate in conservation efforts, particularly tree planting to restore the country’s forest cover.
The initiative supports the government’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, a cornerstone of Kenya’s broader strategy to combat climate change.
“Mazingira,” which means environment in Swahili, symbolizes the country’s renewed commitment to addressing the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Today, Kenyans from all walks of life, from schoolchildren to government officials, are expected to join hands in activities that promote sustainable living.
Many are also encouraged to return to their former primary schools to plant or donate a tree, reinforcing a sense of shared responsibility toward protecting the planet.
Written By Rodney Mbua
