Government Issues Guidelines for Diwali and Hindu New Year Celebrations

The Ministry of Mining announced important guidelines on Tuesday for the upcoming Diwali and Hindu New Year celebrations, which will take place over two days this week.

Cabinet Secretary for Mining Hassan Joho outlined specific directives aimed at the Hindu community, emphasizing that this year’s festivities will adhere to strict regulations regarding the use of fireworks.

Scheduled for Friday, November 1, and Saturday, November 2, the celebrations must comply with the Explosives Act, which governs the use of fireworks in public spaces.

“Therefore, the Hindu community is requested to ensure that all fireworks displays comply with the requirements of the Explosives Act Cap 115 of the Laws of Kenya. Displays should be conducted in an orderly fashion to minimize disruption to the general public,” Joho stated.

CS Joho also urged those planning to use fireworks during the festivals to obtain the necessary permits from the State Department for Mining offices located in major towns across the country, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, Nyeri, and Embu.

However, the use of fireworks will only be permitted in authorized venues such as clubs, hotels, temples, sports grounds, school compounds, and any other locations approved by the inspector of explosives.

Celebrants will be allowed to use fireworks for a maximum of four hours, from 7 PM to 11 PM.

Joho also specified that display shells for fireworks are limited to a maximum diameter of four inches, particularly in urban areas.

Additionally, only qualified personnel will be authorized to fire aerial fireworks shells, and anyone found in violation of these regulations will face legal repercussions.

“Display shells are restricted to a maximum of four-inch caliber in all urban and densely populated areas unless exempted by an Inspector of Explosives,” Joho added.

Moreover, the sale of fireworks to children under the age of 13 will be considered an offense.