The State Department for Mining has notified Kenyans intending to display fireworks on New Year’s to acquire permits.
In a statement released on December 30, the department explained that the directive was in line with the Explosives Act, which calls for strict regulations, control and sale of fireworks.
Additionally, the government directed that officers from the State Department of Mining should be notified and be present during any New Year fireworks celebrations across the country.
According to the Explosives Act, nobody is allowed to hold a public display of fireworks without written consent from an inspector.
The Act further cautions that people displaying fireworks without consent will be guilty of an offence and will be charged in a court of law.
“Where any person is aggrieved by an inspector’s refusal to consent to the holding of a public fireworks display or by the refusal to issue a special import permit, he may, within fourteen days of being notified of such refusal, appeal in writing to the Minister against such refusal, and the Minister’s determination thereon shall be final and shall not be questioned in any court,” the Act reads.
The Act also gives strict instructions concerning the packaging and transportation of fireworks, highlighting the need for double packaging for any kind of explosives.
The inner package should contain not more than 500 grams of explosives and the outer package is limited to carry up to 10 kilograms of the explosives.
“Any person who transports firework composition which is not packed in conformity with the requirements of this rule shall be guilty of an offence,” the Act reads in part.
The department further insisted on the need to comply with all safety measures, as fireworks are explosives which can trigger fires and other kinds of accidents.
