Kenya's President William Ruto has promised the Hindu Community in the country that his administration will consider Gazzetting the Diwali Festival, making it a Public Holiday.
Speaking during the Diwali celebrations held at State House, Nairobi, the head of state reassured his guest's that the government will initiate the Bill through Parliament.
The head-of-state disclosed that he would consult with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang'ula, to ensure the proposal is passed before the next Diwali ceremony in November 2025.
“I have heard your request on the issue of us having Diwali as a national holiday. I will subject it to the government process, the speaker is here. If it has to happen, it has to go through Parliament but I want to assure you that we will have decided by the next Diwali,” Ruto stated.
President Ruto added that under his administration there will be no limitations whatsoever to religion.
Ruto also used the opportunity to call on Kenyans to ignore propaganda being peddled about limitations to religion by some quarters.
“The preamble of our constitution speaks to our acknowledgement as Kenyans. The supremacy of God of all creations is that we protect the place of religion, and we will protect the right of every Kenyan to worship God in the way they want because we all submit to the living God,” he stated.
According to the president, the government will protect the place of worship by abiding by the constitution as a “God-fearing nation.”
Speaking at the same event, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, pledged to ensure that members of the National Assembly seamlessly pass the bill to formally make Diwali a national holiday if it is presented before Parliament.
"Your Excellency, if you decide to give them (the Hindu community) a holiday, I will put the question very quickly in parliament," Speaker Wetangula told Ruto.
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, with variations celebrated in other Indian religions.
The celebrations brought together leaders from the Indian community and the government. The Hindu celebrations will be held from Friday, November 1 to Saturday, November 2, 2024.