New Year’s celebrations are synonymous with fireworks. But while Kenyans are excited for the display, there is another group, often overlooked, that dreads the whole affair; those with mental conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dementia patients, autistic children, and pet owners.
“Fireworks affect mental health through noise, especially sudden and loud noise,” says Dr Linet Kendi, a consultant psychiatrist and founder of Trinity Wellness Centre in Nairobi.
Fireworks make the brain go into a fight-or-flight response, which increases stress hormones. She says fireworks can act as triggers, eliciting memories linked to past trauma, particularly experiences involving explosions, violence, or sudden danger. To these, panic attacks, flashbacks, and intense fear may follow.
Fireworks light up the Nairobi skyline from Old Mutual Tower on January 1, 2026 as Kenyans ushered in the New Year.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
The impact can also be more severe for the elderly, especially those living with conditions like dementia. Fireworks intensify confusion, paranoia, and fear.
Another particularly vulnerable group, Dr Kendi adds, are children with autism.
“They have sensory sensitivities,” she says. “Sudden loud noises can be extremely distressing for them.”
With the increased frequency of the use of fireworks, the psychiatrist warns of the cumulative impact.
“Repeated exposure, especially for those with chronic psychiatric illnesses, makes the healing process more complicated.”
Linet Muthoni, a pet-owner and founder of Nairobi Sanctuary for Stray Animals, a shelter for abandoned animals, says, “if there’s something that gives me anxiety, it’s fireworks. Both me and my pets.”
German Shepherd dogs during German Shepherd Dog Club of East Africa Championship Dog Show at the East Africa Kennel Club in Nairobi on June 30, 2024.
Photo credit: BONFACE BOGITA | NATION
In 2023, she remembers huddling all her dogs, around 10 of them, on her porch. It was a busy night for her as she tried to calm them all down with her body, her voice, and her presence.
“I was just trying to hug them all out,” she says.
When she later moved out of the city, to what she thought was a quieter village setting, she assumed the worst was behind her. But as midnight struck and ushered in 2025, she was not prepared for the fireworks eruption coming from a nearby estate, which had been licensed to host the display without her knowledge.
“All my dogs were just roaming around, and the cats were happily playing, when all of a sudden there was a loud boom,” she says. “The dogs were barking, some were whining, others were running; it was complete chaos.”
Jumping into action, her husband rushed to gather the cats, herding them into closets in the rooms where they could hide from the noise.
On the other hand, Ms Muthoni went straight to the dogs, which were all in a panic. In fear, they all wanted to be held. It was particularly rough for “Hannah”, a blind dog in her care.
“If I’d known there’d be fireworks, I would have kennelled them all properly.”
Fireworks light up the sky during Pamoja Concert to usher-in the New Year 2026, held at Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
The fireworks went on for about 45 minutes, which meant the dogs did not settle until around 4am.
This year, Ms Muthoni says that she is prepared, but anxiety is still gnawing at her.
“Everything is set, I am ready to lock everyone up this year to avoid the chaos,” she says. “The kennels are ready, and I know who I’ll put with who, for emotional support.”
Noticing a trend, she also mentions how every year, after New Year’s Eve, social media fills up with posters of lost pets.
“Unfortunately, we have a lot of experience dealing with the bad effects of fireworks on pets,” says Emma Ngugi, the CEO of the animal welfare organisation.
“New Year is one of our busiest times,” Ms Ngugi adds. “We get a lot of calls from people who have either lost an animal or found one that got lost during the fireworks.”
Wild animals, the expert says, are not spared either. Birds, she notes, react strongly to loud explosions, underscoring the fact that fireworks affect far more than pets.
And while it may sound exaggerated to some, Ms Ngugi confirms that animals can die from fright.
A boy spins steel wool for fireworks effect in Nairobi's Kangemi area on January 1, 2026 as Kenyans ushered in the New Year.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
“It is possible,” she says. “There are many recorded cases, especially if the animal is already in poor physical condition or is older. They can be so overwhelmed with fright or shock that they can have heart attacks. This is also quite common in horses.”
Dr Isaiah Chacha, a veterinarian and owner of Mufasa Veterinary Clinic in Nairobi’s Kilimani, says fireworks overwhelm pets on multiple sensory levels at once, that is, through hearing, seeing, and smelling.
“Most of it is about hearing, then suddenly hearing a loud boom. Secondly, there’s the flashing light that comes with the fireworks, and then there’s the smell of explosive powder,” says Dr Chacha.
Larger dog breeds such as German Shepherds, he notes, tend to react more dramatically, and because of their size and strength, are more likely to injure themselves while trying to flee.
“During the day, you should make sure to give your pet enough water because when dogs are anxious, they tend to pant a lot and dehydrate quickly,” he says.
Even after the fireworks stop, the impact may linger. “The anxiety can last up to three days or even a week thereafter,” he says.
