The overall goal of this strategy is to effectively coordinate Kenyan national and county communications and community engagement activities to prevent the spread of the disease, build trust in the leaders and health workers to provide accurate information and essential services, and encourage communities’ active participation in supporting the risk reduction and response measures.

Specifically, the communication strategy is designed to enhance:

1. Coordination: Strengthen coordination and information management structures across government ministries (health, agricultural, ICT and more) and county governments as well as with development partners and private sector entities to promote an efficient and holistic approach to addressing the multifaceted impacts of the pandemic.
2. Effective Messages: Amplify key public health awareness messages and catalyze conversations with communities to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19, especially for the highest risk groups, and ensure people still go to health facilities for essential services. In addition, mobilize formal and informal leaders to share accurate information.
3. Two-Way Communication: Promote two-way communication with communities to reduce fear, misconceptions, and stigma; to understand risk perceptions, knowledge gaps and provide accurate information tailored for diverse audiences and channels throughout the pandemic response period. These efforts will be crucial in supporting advocacy for responsive county and national efforts.
4. Health Worker Preparedness and Capacity: Ensure health workers and community health workers have the key information and tools to effectively provide accurate information in a way that is respectful of people’s fears, grief and other psychosocial concerns.
5. Monitoring, Evaluation and Research: Establish strong monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for measuring national, county and community levels outcomes.

Source: Kenya National Communication and Community Engagement Strategy for Coronavirus