President William Ruto has addressed concerns about the Hindu New Year’s festival Diwali a national holiday.
Speaking During Diwali Celebrations at State House Kenya on Wednesday, October 30, the Head of State has promised to begin the legislative processes on the matter.
Further, he has said that by the following Diwali celebrations, he will have completed the necessary legislation towards the matter.
“To all those celebrating this joyous occasion, I have heard your request on the issue of having Diwali as a national holiday. I will undertake to subject it to the process of government,
“If it has to happen it has to go all the way to parliament, and I want to assure you that we will have made a decision by the next Diwali,” stated Ruto.
In response, the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, who was also in attendance, said that he would make sure the agenda is passed as quickly as possible when he receives it.
Also Read: Hindu Council Hope to Have Diwali Recognized as Public Holiday
Hindus Make Plea to Ruto Over the Holiday
Earlier in May 2024, the Chairman of the Hindu Council of Kenya Kamal Gupta asked the president to consider the matter carefully, noting that declaring Diwali a public holiday would grant the Hindu community a great sense of recognition as an integral part of the country.
“As a Hindu community, we pray that this will be considered a national day to ensure that the community also feels that great recognition and I’m sure that one day our country and leadership will accept our prayer,
“Please do your best to make this great country of Kenya to be on the highest level and our brothers and sisters that are in need have to be served in the best possible way this Diwali,” Gupta said.
Diwali is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism and is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month, Kartika.
Also referred to as the Festival of Light, Diwali advocates for togetherness and giving to the less fortunate in society.
Moreover, the holidays are traditionally celebrated using fireworks, under stipulated rules and regulations issued by the Ministry of Blue Economy and Mining
Also Read: Govt Issues Directive Ahead of Optional Holiday This Week
This Year’s Diwali Celebrations
Diwali and Hindu New Year celebrations will be held from Friday 1st November to Saturday 2nd November 2024.
In an earlier notice, the mining ministry requested the Hindu community 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 orderly so that the general public are not Inconvenienced. In this regard, the parties carrying out displays shall ensure that” part of the notice read.
Additionally, the Mining CS directed the fireworks displays to be held between 7:00p.m and 11:00p.m only during the authorized dates.
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