Christmas is upon us, and the masses are gathering to celebrate across the country. Budgets are being drawn for food and drinks, and locations are being booked for stays- we are now in the last leg before sherehe sheria begins.

As people continue mapping out their party hopping and how they will usher in the new year, many will not remember to keep their health in check because overindulgence will be the order of the day- after all, they have no work the following day.

But stop before you get down to rolling with the times, packing for your holidays and fueling for your road trips, did you think to pack a medicine and supplies kit? No? Well, thank God for Nairobi News, right? Here’s a list of medications you must make sure to keep close over the next two weeks of raha:

1. Keep your motion sickness medicine near if you are the type to not do well on long drives and flights- or sea voyages if you are bold. This will help you deal with nausea and keep your stomach settled.
2. If you are travelling to areas which have endemic illnesses, such as Homa Bay and Mombasa where malaria is rife, take your medication before travelling to these areas, and have those that treat flu and cold if you do contract them.
3. Have your medication to treat indigestion and heartburn in case you overindulge in food and at irregular intervals. There will be no need for you to hang around with a bloated stomach and make constant runs to the washroom.
4. Keep your hangover medication at hand. There is no story for ‘kutoa lock‘ here with more alcohol; just take medicine and get to sober up faster with fewer hangover symptoms such as headaches and vomiting.
5. If you have allergies, the first medication in your kit should be for treating them. Have your antihistamine and other medication handy in the event you come across allergy triggers. You can never be too careful.
6. Have your painkillers ready, too. You may get headaches from too much light and noise exposure, may feel unwell with body aches or may simply suffer the effects of exhaustion. Get your paracetamols ready and have enough to cover each day you are active on overdrive.
7. If you are treating an illness and still insist on partaking in the festivities, make sure to pack them as well. Keep your doctor’s prescription at hand in case you need to do quick refills at authorized pharmacies, and have adequate supplies of them in case you go to remote areas.