Huduma or Utamaduni, which holiday is Oct 10?

The confusion was evident among many people, First Lady Rachel Ruto sent out a message via her social media pages wishing Kenyans a happy Huduma Day.

Some citizens called for the scrapping of the holiday, saying it had lost meaning.

The initial holiday, Moi Day, was scrapped following promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.

"There was no need of renaming the holiday. We were used to Moi Day as a public holiday, this name ought to have been maintained in remembrance of the second President Daniel arap Moi," said Douglas Mbiti, a hawker at Green Park Nairobi.

Sleeping on job

He went on: "In 2020, we were told they had renamed Moi Day Huduma Day but in 2021, they told us it was now Utamaduni Day. Someone is sleeping on job." Ali Amin wondered why there were no national celebrations like during Madaraka Day or Jamhuri, Day or why people did not venture out.

"This is a loss to people like us who normally make a killing during public holidays, "said Amin

In 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta led Kenyans in marking the first Huduma Day after High Court judge George Odunga reinstated the October 10 holiday.

"In line with the provisions of the Public Holidays Act, it is hereby confirmed that 10th October 2020 will be a public holiday named Huduma Day. The day will be observed through national prayers that will highlight service and volunteering to the community," read a gazette notice.

It further read: "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."

But according to the notice issued by Matiang'i, October 10 was gazetted as Utamaduni Day.

"All Citizens are reminded to honour the day by recognising and celebrating the rich cultural diversity of Kenya in a manner that promoted our unity, national cohesion, and economic progress," the notice read in part.