When COVID-19 first arrived in Kenya in early 2020, there was a feeling that it was impossible for people living in crowded areas to protect themselves.
The Kenyan government used TV and radio advertising to get the core prevention messages across to the public. But there was a sense that they were failing to get to hard-to-reach communities: urban youth; coastal villages; and pastoral communities.
How can I social distance in Kawangware? Where can I wash my hands in Gikomba? How is a mask going to help me anyway?
Questions from respondents in pre-intervention focus group
With the Ministry of Health and CDDEP we ran a pilot to reach these communities. In each we showed the community itself at risk of the disease, and acting to stop it. By using story-telling techniques, and creating immersive, relatable scenes we aimed to start peer-to-peer conversations about Corona, and create an achievable vision of prevention in these communities.
The first set of materials explained the reasons why social distancing, hand washing, and mask wearing were effective strategies in stopping Corona, and targeted young-women. One of the reasons this group is so important is they can helps spread the word and even set norms for the wider community. The subtle, relatable illustrations were created by Kimani Sam.
Unifying the campaign was a reminder that we are acting not only in our own interest, but also to prevent transmission to our friends, family and community, “When we protect ourselves, we protect each other.”
The posters below depict a typical market scene in a crowded area like Kawangware. The first is designed to show you that Corona is real, and is around us and spreads in various ways.
The second shows how, even in a busy area, we can protect ourselves from Corona by wearing masks, washing hands, and social distancing.
Matondoni is a fishing village in North Eastern Kenya on Lamu island. Research showed that fishermen did not believe they could continue to work and follow prevention measures. We developed a cartoon to tell a story about an old fisherman teaching his younger colleagues that they can continue to fish, and avoid Corona at the same time.
The posters below targeted pastoral communities in Northern Kenya.
