County issues new festive season rules for public events in Mombasa
The notice applies to concerts, religious gatherings, sports tournaments, beach parties, corporate activations, roadshows, exhibitions, and New Year celebrations.
All event organisers in Mombasa will now be required to notify county authorities before holding any public gathering during the festive season, following a new directive aimed at tightening security measures across the coastal city.
The County Government of Mombasa has announced that any individual or institution planning a public event must inform the County Disaster Management Committee at least three days in advance.
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The notice applies to concerts, religious gatherings, sports tournaments, beach parties, corporate activations, roadshows, exhibitions, and New Year celebrations.
County officials say the requirement is intended to ensure proper crowd control, emergency response planning and coordination with security agencies, especially at a time when Mombasa is expecting higher numbers of visitors.
According to the directive, organisers must provide details including the nature of the event, expected attendance, venue, dates, and proposed safety measures such as fire preparedness, medical cover and evacuation plans.
The Disaster Management Committee will then assess the arrangements and advise on additional requirements where necessary.
The county cited the Constitution and the Public Order Act as the legal basis for the enforcement, noting that event organisers have a statutory responsibility to help maintain peace and safeguard the public during gatherings.
The directive adds that notifying the committee does not replace the legal obligation to inform the police under the Public Order Act, but is meant to strengthen joint planning.
County authorities have warned that organisers who fail to comply may face civil or criminal liability should an incident occur. They also reserve the right to inspect venues, direct additional safety measures, or halt events that pose potential risks to the public.
The move comes as Mombasa prepares for a busy festive period, with the tourism and entertainment sectors expecting increased activity.
Officials say the new measures are meant to prevent emergencies and ensure the county remains a safe destination for residents and visitors throughout the holiday season.
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