President William Ruto has announced that the government will consider the request of the Hindu Community to make Diwali a national holiday.
Speaking during Diwali celebrations at State House Nairobi on Wednesday, October 30, Ruto noted that the request had to go through various government institutions for approval.
“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.
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 a significant holiday celebrated by the Hindu Community worldwide. The holiday is marked to celebrate good triumphing over evil.
Often known as the festival of lights, the celebrations are marked by a display of fireworks.
