Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has dismissed as “fake” a gazette notice declaring November 4th as a Public Holiday.
Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, notably Newar Buddhists. The festival usually lasts five days and is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika.
On Friday, the Government issued new rules on fireworks ahead of Diwali and Hindu New Year celebrations on Wednesday and Thursday.
A circular through the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining is advising the Hindu community to adhere to the stipulated requirements of the Explosives Act, Cap 115 regarding fireworks displays to ensure members of the public are not inconvenienced.
The regulations include the acquisition of permits from the ministry which should be obtained from the major towns of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret and Nyeri.
Fireworks displays have been limited from 7 pm to 11 pm on the set dates and only in authorized venues such as clubs, hotels, temples, sports grounds school compounds or any other venue as may be authorized by an Inspector of Explosives.
Display shells are limited to a maximum of four-inch calibre in all venues in urban and built-up areas by qualified persons.
“The Government has not declared a public holiday on Thursday November 4th, 2021. The purported gazette notice declaring a holiday is FAKE,” said Interior Ministry in its twitter handle.
The fake gazette notice doing rounds on social media Thursday afternoon was purportedly signed by Interior CS Matiang’i.
