Kenya Moi Day

Kenya Moi Day

October 10

The Republic of Kenya is on the eastern coast of Africa. It is surrounded by Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania. British settlers arrived in East Africa in the mid-1800s and eventually promoted European settlement in some of the most fertile parts of Kenya, forcing native Kenyans from their land.
Kenya was officially made a British colony in 1920. European settlers were allowed to participate in government, while Africans were not allowed to participate directly in the political arena.
After many years, Africans were given opportunities to participate in politics. The first elections to elect Africans to the Legislative Council took place in 1957. On June 1, 1963, Kenya became a self-ruling country, and then it became an independent country on December 12 of that same year. Kenya's first president was Jomo Kenyatta, an ethnic Kikuyu and head of the Kenya African National Union (KANU). Kenyans honor their first president by celebrating Kenyatta Day every year on October 20.
When Kenyatta died in August 1978, Vice President Daniel arap Moi became interim president. By October of that year, Moi was elected head of KANU and designated its sole nominee for the presidential election, formally making him president.
Moi was very popular among the people of Kenya. His leadership style involved touring the country and talking with the people everywhere. He emphasized a philosophy of peace, love, and unity then known as Nyayo. This was very different from Kenyatta's imperial style of governing behind closed doors.
Moi won national elections in 1992 and 1997, but his presidency has been marred by controversy, with accusations of election fraud, corruption, and human rights violations. Moi was constitutionally barred from running in the 2002 presidential elections. At this time, he chose to retire. He remains very popular with the Kenyan people and continues to have some behind-the-scenes influence in Kenyan politics.
October 10 is a national holiday in Kenya. The day has been set aside to honor Moi, the county's second president. Moi Day has been celebrated every year since the 10th day of the 10th month, 10 years after the inauguration of Moi as the second president of Kenya. On this day, political speeches are made, and the people of Kenya take the day off work to relax or enjoy sporting events.

CONTACTS:
Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Office
Utalii House, Off Uhuru Highway
P.O. Box 30027
Nairobi, Kenya
www.tourism.go.ke

Celebration day: Oct 10