Easter should bring joy, not preventable health dangers

A Catholic faithful on the cross during Good Friday Way of the Cross procession in Nairobi on March 3, 2026. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Easter is a time of reflection, travel and celebration. Families come together, communities gather, and many take to the roads or visit places of worship. It is marked by renewal and togetherness, but it is also a period when preventable health risks tend to rise.

This pattern is not new. Each year, increased movement and social interaction bring familiar challenges. More vehicles on the road often translate into higher rates of accidents. Large gatherings create conditions for the spread of illness. Food prepared in large quantities, sometimes under poor conditions, can lead to outbreaks. In some areas, heavy rains and flooding increase the risk of waterborne diseases.