Wednesday, October 30, 2024 - The government, through the Ministry of Mining, has announced key guidelines for the upcoming Diwali and Hindu New Year celebrations that are set to be celebrated for two days this week.
In his directive targeting the
Hindu Community, the Cabinet Secretary for Mining Hassan Joho revealed that
this year's celebrations will have to follow strict set guidelines for
the use of fireworks displays.
The holidays which are set to be
celebrated on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd will have to comply with the
Explosives Act laws governing the use of fireworks in public.
''Consequently, the Hindu community is requested to ensure that fireworks displays are carried out within the requirements of the Explosives Act Cap 115 Laws of Kenya.
"Fireworks
displays should be carried out in an orderly manner so that the general public
is not inconvenienced. In this regard, the parties carrying out displays,’’
Joho stated in the directive.
The CS directed all those who
are 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.
''The necessary permits to hold
fireworks are obtained from the State Department for Mining offices in Nairobi,
Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, Nyeri, and Embu,’’ Joho added.
However, the CS announced that
fireworks use will only be allowed in authorized venues such as clubs, hotels,
temples, sports grounds, school compounds, and any other venues that are
authorized by the inspector of explosives.
Hindus and other Kenyans
celebrating the Diwali festivals will be allowed to use the fireworks displays
for only 4 hours. The time frame will be between 7pm and 11pm.
Joho further directed that
display shells for the fireworks will be limited to a maximum diameter of
four-inch caliber especially in urban areas.
Additionally, only qualified
personnel will be allowed to fire aerial fireworks shells, and anybody who is found contravening this will face legal consequences.
Consequently, the CS announced
that the sale of fireworks to children below the age of 13 would be an offense.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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