Nairobi: As Kenyans celebrate the Christmas festivities and usher in the New Year, the Ministry of Health has urged the public to prioritize health, safety, and responsible behavior. Increased travel, social gatherings, and consumption during this period heighten the risk of preventable illnesses and injuries if caution is not exercised.
According to Kenya News Agency, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni has issued a public health advisory during the festive season, highlighting a sharp rise in food-borne illnesses. She advised Kenyans to purchase meat, poultry, and processed foods only from licensed and inspected premises and to avoid the consumption of uninspected meat. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of thoroughly cooking food and consuming it hot, with a strict separation of raw and cooked foods to prevent contamination.
The Ministry stresses proper hand hygiene, clean food preparation surfaces, the use of safe treated water for cooking and drinking, and careful handling of leftovers, which must be reheated until steaming hot. Food handlers and hospitality establishments are urged to ensure that only medically certified individuals prepare and serve food, maintaining full compliance with food safety standards.
The Ministry has also issued a warning against increased alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, and other substance use during the festive season, urging the public to consume alcohol responsibly or abstain entirely. The PS strongly cautioned against driving under the influence and encouraged parents, guardians, and community leaders to protect children and young people from exposure to drugs and substance abuse.
The Ministry, in collaboration with enforcement agencies, plans to intensify surveillance to prevent illicit substances from entering the Kenyan market and will take firm action against offenders. The PS reiterated that there is no safe level of tobacco or nicotine use and that secondhand smoke poses serious health risks to non-smokers.
Furthermore, the PS cautioned against risky sexual behavior during the festive season, which increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and unintended pregnancies. She urged the public to make informed decisions, avoid sexual activity under the influence, use condoms, and seek timely testing, counseling, and treatment services when necessary.
The Ministry of Health remains on high alert throughout the festive season to safeguard public health. The PS called on all Kenyans to celebrate responsibly and to take preventive actions that will protect lives, ensuring a safe and healthy festive season for all. She concluded with a message for all Kenyans to stay alert, stay safe, and wished them a Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year.
