Why Ruto's Agenda of Monday Public Holiday Will Fail - Mutahi Ngunyi

Political Analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has questioned the government's move to declare Monday, November 13, a public Holiday.

The Hoilicay is meant to allow Kenyans to participate in tree-planting exercises across the country.

But even as the motive appears well spelled out for every Kenyan, Ngunyi is of the opinion that the agenda might not be achieved.

He avers that Kenyans are likely to use the day for merry-making rather than planting trees.

"This government does not add up. I do not understand why November 13th is a public holiday. Is there something they know that we do not know? On the 13th weekend, Kenyans will drink beer like El Nino. No money to buy trees. Is the plot to get us drunk? And why?" he posed.

CS Kindiki on Monday declared the holiday in a Gazette Notice.

This, the CS said, is a product of a Cabinet meeting that approved a special day for tree planting.

"In Exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Monday, November 13, 2023, a public holiday in which the public shall be engaged in tree growing countrywide," the gazette notice read.

CS Kindiki said the exercise is part of Kenya’s Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Program–Towards the Growing of Fifteen (15) billion trees.

"There will be a designated National venue for the tree planting presided over by His Excellency (Dr.) William Samoei Ruto, the President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, and forty-seven (47) County venues presided over by Cabinet Secretaries and Governors, where all Kenyan citizens and the general public shall be expected to participate," Kindiki added.