Kenya recognises Diwali as a faith-specific observance, while fireworks displays must follow strict evening limits.
Friday remains a working day for most Kenyans because the Diwali holiday applies to the Hindu community, rather than the general public.
Hindu employees can request time off from their employers to celebrate the festival. However, the observance does not give everyone a national day off.
Mining Cabinet Secretary Joho has also outlined rules for fireworks during the celebrations. Displays must take place between 7pm and 11pm, and organisers must avoid inconveniencing the public.
How Kenya treats the Diwali holiday
The Public Holidays Act, Cap 110, distinguishes national public holidays from special or optional holidays. That distinction determines whether an observance gives all Kenyans a day off or applies only to specific groups.
National holidays include Madaraka Day, Christmas and Eid al-Fitr, which apply across the country. Diwali, meanwhile, falls within the optional category for members of the Hindu faith.
As a result, Hindu employees are entitled to request leave for their religious celebrations. Other employees must report to work as usual, despite speculation about a nationwide holiday.
The festival’s recognition as part of Kenya’s cultural life therefore differs from its legal status. Celebrations alone do not change the public holiday calendar for everyone.
Ruto’s proposal and fireworks restrictions
President William Ruto announced plans in 2024 to sponsor legislation making Diwali a national public holiday. He addressed the request during Diwali celebrations at State House in Nairobi on October 30, 2024.
At that event, Ruto said he would take the proposal through the government process. However, changing Diwali’s status requires an amendment to the Public Holidays Act.
Parliament must debate, vote on and pass that amendment before it can become law. Until the legislative process concludes with enactment, the existing framework continues to apply.
Meanwhile, Joho directed the Hindu community to comply with the Explosives Act, Cap 115, when holding fireworks displays. His instructions combine the evening time limits with a requirement for orderly celebrations.
The Cabinet Secretary also urged organisers to protect the wider public from inconvenience. Those requirements govern fireworks during the festival, alongside the separate rules determining who can take time off work.
