Happiness Club launched in Kenya as world marks International Happiness Day

Members of the Happiness Club of Kenya led by former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi gathered in Nairobi on Wednesday to officially launch the outfit.

The club launch coincided with the International Happiness Day which is celebrated on March 20 as proclaimed in 2012 by the United Nations.

Speaking during the event, Murungi, the Chief Happiness Officer at the club, emphasized the importance of Kenyans re-evaluating and realigning their lives toward happiness.

"Time has come for us to re-evaluate, to refocus, reinvent and realign our lives towards happiness and a future full of love joy and laughter. We are celebrating International Happiness Day to remind ourselves of happiness and centrality of happiness in our lives and indeed the entire world," said Murungi.

Kenya School of Law Director Prof. PLO Lumumba on his part stated that despite the hardship experienced in the country occasioned by high cost of living, Kenyans should be in pursuit of happiness.

He also called for the need of the country and Africa as a whole to embrace International Happiness Day as it will give a bigger desire to live.

"It is not known to many that on the 28th June 2012 the General Assembly of the United Nations designated this day 20th march as the International. It is unfortunate that it is not a day celebrated with the pomp that is necessary particularly when we talk about happiness," he said.

The launch of the club comes after Murungi late last year revealed that he had successfully completed a one-year degree course in happiness studies from the Happiness Studies Academy and graduated.

"I am happy to announce that I successfully completed a one year degree course in happiness studies from the Happiness Studies Academy and graduated. I am now fully equipped to spearhead the happiness revolution in my motherland," he wrote on Facebook in November 2023.

The politician also shared photos of himself at a photo session alongside other graduands and also a photo of his certificate, signed by the Happiness Studies Academy founder, Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar. 

Murungi's foray into happiness pursuits came after he revealed that he almost fell into depression after losing the Meru gubernatorial seat to current Governor Kawira Mwangaza.