Kenya to Celebrate its 3rd Utamaduni Day at Bomas of Kenya, PS Ummi Bashir Confirms

The PS Heritage Ummi Bashir has extended a warm welcome to all Kenyans to the eventful Utamaduni Day Celebration through a post on her X Official Account after her earlier interview on Nation FM, Morning Fx.

“Culture is never static. It grows and changes. We are therefore committed to reshape our cultural interactions and celebrations to reflect this diversity. Karibu Bomas kesho and get a whole new refreshing experience on Culture, the Arts and Heritage! “

This comes after the presumed holiday brought controversies in the recent past owing to the fact that it almost went unrecognised, bringing confusion in the last year’s celebrations.

The fact that Tuesday, October 10, is a public holiday in Kenya is beyond dispute, but the name of the holiday has continued to elicit debate and confusion in equal measure.

A year ago, the then Interior CS Dr. Matiangi reminded Kenyans that Monday, October 10 was a public holiday to commemorate Utamaduni Day, the country's annual celebration of cultural diversity and heritage.

"All citizens are reminded to honour the day by recognising and celebrating the rich cultural diversity of Kenya in a manner that promotes our unity, national cohesion and economic progress," the gazette notice from the Interior Ministry read.

Later on, that fateful day of the celebrations, Kenyans and the leaders as well however came out in thousands, taking to their social medias to wish friends, foes, fans, and followers a happy 'Huduma Day'.

The confusion over whether it is Huduma or Utamaduni Day stemmed from a Cabinet decision in December 2019 to rename Moi Day to Huduma Day and Boxing Day to Utamaduni Day but that was never gazetted.

Cabinet approved the renaming of Boxing Day, which falls on December 26, to Utamaduni Day as part of the proposals to amend the Public Holidays Act (Cap 109).

However, because internationally recognized holidays cannot be renamed, Boxing Day remained as is, while Moi Day was renamed Utamaduni Day, and is to be celebrated on October 10.

The revision made in a 2020 gazette notice declared October 10 as Utamaduni Day and December 26 remained as Boxing Day.

This will be Kenya's third Utamaduni Day celebrations.

According to KBC’s reporting on their official site, Kenya is expected to showcase rich culture and traditions during Utamaduni Day Celebrations which is set to happen at the Bomas of Kenya on this fateful and awaited day.

Culture, Arts and Heritage Permanent Secretary Ummi Bashir has confirmed that the event will showcase Kenya’s rich cultural diversity and heritage through dance, food and storytelling.

While posting on her official X page, the PS welcomed all to the esteemed day with hilarious statements

@UmmiMBashir

Uko na mpango? Sio wa kando. Ya kesho? Huna?

Si tupatane Bomas basi. Come have an unforgettable Utamaduni Day experience!

@PsHeritage @Bomasofkenya

The events of the day as programmed, scheduled from 10AM TO 4PM are set to be one worth a dime,with live cultural performances, kids games and storytelling, cultural exhibitions and displays and finally the traditional cuisine.