Let’s be each other’s keeper this season

The festive season is here and many Kenyans are no doubt looking forward to spreading the cheer and joy as a tough but rewarding year ends. Already, most families have travelled into and out of the city or plan to do so after taking a break to celebrate with loved ones. In Christian circles, Christmas is a chance to engage in soul-searching and remind one another of their purpose in life.

However, depending on how we approach the season, it could be a source of delight or suffering. We take this early opportunity to urge caution as the festivities set in. Drawing form past experiences, the festive season is fraught with grave risks and perils, including high road carnage statistics, over-indulgence in sex and alcoholism not to mention insecurity.

We laud efforts by the police and National Transport and Safety Authority to rein in traffic offenders. The introduction of random daytime alcoblow tests is particularly heartening. Let us do more to prevent unnecessary loss of lives. On the same breath, we shouldn’t turn the festivities in an orgy of feverish shopping and extravagance because 2019 promises to come with a heavy financial burden starting with the usual back-to-school expenses.

Inspector General Joseph Boinett, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i and law enforcement agencies have work cut out for them. Impunity and lawlessness should not be allowed to mess up the season. We should spread cheer and rejoice in the reason for the season like the cheers echoed when the prophecy of Virgin Mary conceiving and giving birth to Christ came to pass.