Retired President Daniel Arap Moi Celebrates Moi Day at His Rural Residence

Retired President Daniel Arap Moi on Wednesday marked Moi Day at his rural residence in Kabarak, Nakuru County with family and friends.

In a statement to newsrooms, his acting press secretary Alex Kiprotich said the former president was overwhelmed by the messages of goodwill sent to him by Kenyans of all walks of life.

The spokesperson also said Moi thanked Kenyans for the love they continue to show him and said he prays for God’s blessings for the country and its people.

On Monday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i declared October 10th a public holiday to celebrate Moi Day. The CS said the move was informed by a High Court ruling issued in November last year declaring as illegal the decision to abolish Moi Day.

“In Judicial Review No. 292 of 2017  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," said Matiang'i.

Last year, High Court Justice George Odunga ruled that the scrapping of Moi Day was an illegality and was in contravention of the law.

“I hereby grant a declaration that the omission to have the 10th day of October observed as a public holiday is an illegality and in contravention of Section 2(1) as read with part 1 of the schedule to the Public Holidays Act,” stated Odunga in part of his ruling.

The holiday had not been celebrated since the promulgation of the new Constitution in 2010.