CS Joho Issues Directives On New Year Fireworks, Including 30 Minute Display

The Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs has issued guidelines regarding the use of fireworks for the New Year celebrations. This includes an allowance of 30 minutes for the displays.

Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho revealed in a public notice that the use of fireworks has been authorized but must adhere to the Explosives Act Cap 115 Laws of Kenya. 

The notice emphasizes that fireworks displays must be conducted in a way that does not inconvenience the general public. Parties involved in organizing fireworks events are required to ensure compliance with specific conditions laid out by the government.

It goes on to reveal that permits to hold fireworks displays must be obtained from the State Department for Mining offices located in Nairobi, Mombasa, Wundanyi, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, Nyeri, and Embu. 

Mining CS Ali Hassan Joho. /FILE

The use of fireworks will only be allowed at authorized venues such as clubs, hotels, churches, sports grounds, school compounds, or other places approved by an Inspector of Explosives. 

To ensure public safety, the notice states that all fireworks must be sourced exclusively from licensed dealers. 

“The displays are held between 0000hrs and 0030hrs on December 31, 2024,” reads part of the notice.

The government has also limited the calibre of fireworks display shells to a maximum of four inches in urban and built-up areas unless special exemptions are granted by an Inspector of Explosives. 

Additionally, only experienced, qualified, and sober individuals are permitted to handle and fire fireworks during displays.

The notice also directed that dealers are strictly prohibited from selling fireworks to children under the age of 13.

On the other hand, aerial fireworks, such as shells, rockets, Roman candles, and cakes, must only be sold to individuals holding permits signed by an Inspector of Explosives. 

Under the (Explosives) Fireworks Rules, the government outlaws any breakdown of manufactured fireworks for the extraction of the explosive or using fireworks for any purpose other than that for which they were designed, without the written consent of the chief inspector.

“Any accident resulting in death or serious injury to any person, or in damage to property, by fire or explosion caused by or connected with fireworks shall be reported forthwith to the nearest police station, and the officer in charge of such police station shall thereupon report the accident to an inspector,” mandates the Fireworks Rules.

Failure to report such accidents shall result in a fine of Ksh500,000 in default of payment and imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months.