When President John Pombe Magufuli of Tanzania took over the helms of power, he started by canceling numerous national holidays and dedicated the days on general cleanliness, tree planting and channeled the funds to other “important” issues.
The move by President Magufuli, though criticized by a few who would love to have such a function so that they can siphon public funds, has been hailed by the common Tanzanians, the majority of whom have benefitted directly from the funds that were to be used for the celebrations.
It is time Kenya copied something from Tanzanians about national holidays. Why can’t, for once, cancel one national holiday and dedicate the whole day for cleaning our cities, planting the trees, visiting the sick in hospitals and divert funds that would have been used to good use?
Millions of shillings are used to organize celebrations during national holidays such as Jamhuri which is celebrated every 12th of December. Come to think of it, what is the economic value of the celebrations anyway? Apart from speeches where political leaders brag about what they have done, the military parades and the entertainment, what else do people get on that day?
There are thousands of Kenyans detained in hospitals around the country because they are unable to raise cash for their medical bills. Why can’t we take these funds meant for national holiday celebrations and physically go to hospitals and pay the bills for those who have been detained? Why can’t we plant trees or even sweep the streets?
I know some will quote Article 9 (3) of the Constitution of Kenya which states that the national days are – (a) Madaraka Day, to be observed on 1st June, (b) Mashujaa Day to be observed on 20th October and (c) Jamhuri Day to the observed on 12th December. Yes. The Constitution lists them. So what? Does it say we must have a celebration? The same Constitution in Article 9 (5) says that Parliament may enact legislation prescribing other holidays, and providing for the observance of public holidays.