Utamaduni Day Now Changed To Mazingira Day

President Ruto recently signed a comprehensive law updating 16 different Kenyan Acts, including changing of Utamaduni day, which was previously known as Moi Day.

It was later reinstated by the Court in 2017 and later on renamed Huduma Day. In 2020, then Interior and Coordination of National Government CS Fred Matiang’i gazetted it as Utamaduni Day.

Here’s a breakdown of the key changes that were signed;

• Boosting the Attorney-General’s Office: A new advisory board will recommend appointments and promotions for state counsels. This aims to address staffing shortages by improving working conditions.
• Mazingira Day for a Greener Kenya: Utamaduni Day is renamed Mazingira Day, dedicated to environmental conservation activities on October 10th annually. This supports the government’s ambitious tree-planting program.
• Traffic Tech and Tax Tweaks: The Traffic Act embraces technology for managing minor offenses. The Value Added Tax Act removes tax exemption for imported denatured ethanol, protecting local producers. Gas meters are also now VAT-exempt, making clean energy more accessible.
• National Security Education: The President gains authority to establish specialized institutions awarding degrees in national security. The National Intelligence Service is exempt from labor laws, similar to other security agencies.
• Education and Training Revamp: Aligning training levy payments with employee income tax should boost compliance and support technical and vocational education.
• Streamlining the Justice System: The Chief Registrar of the Judiciary now oversees the roll of oath commissioners and can administer oaths to court registrars.
• Law Society Gets More Clout: The Law Society of Kenya gains additional power to regulate lawyer admissions.
• Centralized Offenders Register: The Chief Registrar of the Judiciary is now responsible for maintaining the register of convicted sex offenders.
• Simplified Trust Registration: The Registrar of Companies takes over trust registration duties, aiming to streamline the process.
• Finance Bill Deadline Clarified: The National Treasury must submit the Finance Bill by April 30th, as mandated by law.

This wide-ranging legislation addresses various Kenyan concerns, from environmental protection to legal efficiency.