Pomp as Diwali celebrations begin in Mombasa

The coastal city of Mombasa has started once again witnessing sparkling lights of fireworks at night as the Diwali celebrations kick off in earnest, with the government urging the public to observe fire safety precautions.

The celebrations began on November 6, 2026, marking the start of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Diwali transforms Mombasa’s skyline into dazzling canopies of gold lights and fireworks.

Mombasa has a long-standing vibrant Asian community that spans a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds, with deep roots going back over a century.

Each year during Diwali celebrations residents of Mombasa enjoy the dazzling fireworks display with colourful lights and smoke effects filling the night sky creating a festive atmosphere.

Mombasa comes alive each year during Diwali with vibrant community events, massive parties, and light displays across the city’s Hindu temples, clubs, and cultural spaces.

The Central Business District (CBD) becomes a ‘festive hub’ radiating the spirit of Diwali to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness.

Families and local establishments throughout Mombasa mark the Diwali festival by bursting colourful fireworks that could be seen across the ocean skyline.

Beyond the aerial pyrotechnics, the local Hindu and Sikh communities decorate their doorsteps and temples with intricate rangoli patterns, keep traditional oil diyas (lamps) burning throughout the night, and leave doors open to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity.

The festivities in Mombasa extend past religious boundaries, drawing local residents and tourists alike to enjoy the spectacular nighttime views.

However, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Joho directed that the fireworks displays during this year’s Diwali and Hindu New Year celebrations will only be allowed at authorised venues and between 7pm and 11pm.

CS Joho said the celebrations will run from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 8, 2026, urging members of the Hindu community to follow the safety requirements when organising fireworks displays.

Diwali celebrations begin on November 6, 2026, with the main day of Diwali falling on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

Joho in a statement noted that organisers must obtain permits and adhere to public safety and environmental regulations.

“The government has prioritised pollution control, crowd management, and fire safety to prevent tragedies and hazardous conditions,” said Joho.

The CS also capped the size of fireworks shells at four inches in urban and built-up areas unless organisers obtain exemption from the inspectorate of explosives.

Stakeholders in Mombasa have welcomed the move by the national government to regulate the use of fireworks displays during major festive periods like Diwali.

Zameer Noorali, Master Projection Artist of Jays Pyrotechnics company has emphasised the need to minimise fire risks, noise disturbances, and property damage during major festive periods.

“We are in support of all initiatives aimed at tightening regulatory supervision and promoting digitalisation within the entertainment sector,” he said.

He cautioned residents against setting off fireworks in crowded places or residential areas, saying designated open spaces were necessary to minimise the risk of injuries, fires, noise disturbances and property damage.

Jays Pyrotechnics specialises in providing both indoor and outdoor fireworks shows, visual effects, 3D Projection mapping, small and large-scale holograms, laser shows, indoor/outdoor drone shows, and holistic creative events experiences.

Noorali during an interview with KNA says Jays Pyrotechnics seeks to stage spectacular public fireworks displays in Mombasa, Nairobi, Eldoret, Kisumu and Nakuru during the forthcoming December festive season.

With Indian communities spread across the major towns in Kenya, Diwali is also celebrated with families and friends coming together for festive gatherings and exchanging gifts.

“The large-scale public fireworks displays will surely transform the nocturnal visual identity of all the major urban centres,” he said and appealed to the public to take extra precautions when handling firecrackers throughout the festive season.

He says Jays Pyrotechnics is a renowned creative events company in the field of fireworks, special effects, and visual experience, bringing together the ‘’theatre of the sky and earth’ interconnecting through technology.

Noorali says the fireworks festivals by Jay Pyrotechnics usually incorporate culture, cuisine and tourism and there is ‘always something to capture the imagination’.

“Our fireworks shows are made to suit a wide variety of venues, including rooftop and outdoor displays, professional sporting events, and indoor arenas,” he said.

Last year the entertainment company staged a series of events, including 170 fireworks shows in various parts of the coastal region, to usher in the New Year 2026.

Noorali disclosed that the demand for firecrackers across all major towns of the coastal region this festive season is overwhelming given that tourists flock to the coastal areas for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Every year the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, and Lamu receive record numbers of domestic and international visitors arriving to savour its tropical Indian Ocean coastline, powdery white sands, and warm sunny weather.

He revealed that the company, the only licensed dealer of the professional fireworks and pyrotechnics sector, is working overdrive to cope with the demand and deliver safe and pocket-friendly firecrackers for all Kenyans.

By Hussein Abdullahi