Kenya Bans use of Fireworks During Diwali Fete over Security Fears
By George Okore
NAIROBI --Kenyans of Indian descent will miss an important part of the Diwali festivities, usually celebrated with extensive display of fireworks in all the major towns.
Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President Francis Kimemia yesterday announced the suspension arguing that criminals would use the occasion to cause more harm to citizens. Kenya is currently engaged in a military offensive in the neighbouring war-torn Somalia to rid the country of Al Shaabab rebels.
Retaliatory attacks in the capital city of Nairobi by suspected Al Shaabab sympathizers has seen two deadly explosions over the last two days, leaving in their wake, several injured and at least one casualty. “Criminals are likely to infiltrate the Diwali celebrations to cause more harm. We can not take security of Kenyans for granted. As part of security precautions, we have not alternative but to put on hold this years Diwali celebrations”, explained Mr Kimemia who is responsible for the country’s internal security.
Diwali means a row or cluster of lights which symbolizes Light over Darkness, Knowledge over Ignorance, Good over Evil and Love over Hate. In Kenya, The festival of Diwali has been celebrated for ages and grows in attraction by the year. “I will definitely miss my favourite festival this year. Damn this Al Shaabab and their treacherous ways. We understand the security challenges of hosting the celebrations this year and understand the governments concerns”, says Goshal Shah, a shopkeeper in down town Nairobi River Road.
Diwali falls on the lunar month of Kartik, usually October or November on the darkest night of the Hindu lunar year. It is an occasion for the young and the old, men and women, rich and poor –irrespective of their religious and economic background who seeks light, knowledge and love. The festival is celebrated throughout the world to ward off the darkness and welcome the light, punctuated with elaborate displays of fireworks and sharing of gifts. This festival is celebrated on a grand scale mainly as the beginning of New Year.
Approximately 1000 Indians reside in the former British colonies of Kenya and Tanzania and Uganda. They form just about 1 per cent of the total population of these countries. However, the influences of this tiny amount of population have considerable economic influence and are a well-respected minority. They also celebrate the major Indian or Hindu festivals of the Hindu solar calendar.
In Kenya, this year’s celebrations arrive a time when the country’s military offensive in Somalia means has shattered many a hopes to celebrate the festival. Worldwide, Diwali is normally accompanied by accidents and injuries due to fireworks, with criminal negligence, deliberate actions and unsafe handling fireworks are a cause for major accidents.
Apart from India , Diwali is mainly celebrated in Kenya , Australia, Barbados, Britain, Canada, Guyana, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States of America among the Hindus world over.