Citizens To Pay For New Year Fireworks Celebrations
Citizens To Pay For New Year Fireworks Celebrations
Citizens To Pay For New Year Fireworks Celebrations
Those in Kenya planning to light fireworks on New Year’s Day are advised to obtain permits, according to the State Department for Mining.The government clarified in a statement issued on December 30 that the directive complied with the Explosives Act, which mandates stringent guidelines for the sale, handling, and regulation of fireworks.
The government also mandated that officials from the State Department of Mining be informed of and present at any nationwide New Year’s fireworks displays.The Explosives Act states that no one may host a public fireworks show without an inspector’s written approval.
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 emphasizes the necessity of double packaging for all explosives and provides stringent guidelines for the shipping and packing of fireworks. The maximum amount of explosives that can be contained in the outside box is 10 kilograms, while the interior package can only hold up to 500 grams of explosives.
A portion of the Act states, “Anyone who transports firework composition which is not packed in conformity with the requirements of this rule shall be guilty of an offence.” The department also emphasized that since fireworks are explosives and can cause fires and other types of mishaps, all safety precautions must be followed.
“Any negligent handling could result in a dangerous mishap, start fires, destroy property, or even result in fatalities,”The Department of Mining’s Inspector of Explosives will issue the permits.
