This archive report was first published on 13 May 2020.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread globally, Kenya is not immune to its effects. The country has reported over 1,000 cases and 50 deaths, with the number of cases rising daily.
However, the response to the pandemic has also raised several salient issues that touch on the management strategies the national and county governments need to deploy to stem the spread of the disease.
Published on May 13, 2020, by Benjamin Sogomo, the article highlights the need for trust in government information, clear communication strategies, and community engagement.
According to Sogomo, the lack of trust among a small proportion of the population on the information emanating from the Ministry of Health is a major concern. He notes that despite the efforts of Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe to emphasize the need for compliance with the strategies to stop the pandemic, some people still doubt the government's information.
One of the reasons for this mistrust, Sogomo suggests, is the use of technical terms and jargon that are alien to most Kenyans. He argues that the government needs to communicate in simple and clear language, using Kiswahili and vernacular translations to explain the consequences of the virus.
Another issue highlighted by Sogomo is the need for a clear vision and mission on the war against the virus. He suggests that the vision should be 'Kenya without the coronavirus' and the mission should be 'to fight the spread of the coronavirus'.
Finally, Sogomo emphasizes the importance of group dynamics and community engagement in the fight against the virus. He notes that residents of Eastleigh in Nairobi and those of Old Town in Mombasa form distinct groups on the basis of geography, and that these groups need to be engaged in the fight against the virus.
