Morning fireworks cause anger, panic among Kasarani residents

By Val Moraa

Residents of Kasarani area in Nairobi were on Monday morning woken up by heavy and disturbing fireworks from an event at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.

According to the residents, the fireworks erupted at an event around 4:20 am, disrupting sleep and causing panic.

The residents told Wananchi Reporting that the fireworks continued for at least 20 minutes.

Taking to social media, the residents expressed rage over the incident, accusing organisers of the two-day event of being insensitive.

"Why 4 am on a Monday? When people are asleep and kids have to be woken up from their sleep?" One of the residents asked.

Kasarani quickly rose up X trends, with many expressing disgust at the turn of events.

In Ngumba Estate which borders Kasarani, many residents scampered out of their houses and were patched on balconys, some of them mistaking the fireworks for gunshots and explosions.

“My children had a difficult time going back to bed, visibly shaken following the fireworks. My younger son is traumatised following the events,” said Janet Kemunto, a parent and a resident of Kasarani.

Residents have called for action against the organisers of the event, demanding that they be held accountable.

The residents are asking The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the county government to help regulate such events in future, especially if they are likely to affect residents.