When leaders call for protests, how likely are you to step out of your house, or ask for leave from work to join the demonstrations? What worries you about the demonstrations? Is it the possibility of the peaceful demonstrations turning violent, is it the risk of the possibility of police using live bullets on demonstrators, or is it the risk of getting mugged by goons who take advantage of the protests?

In this episode we will have last minute reflections on THE CRISIS COMMUNICATION CHAPTER project that I was a part of. Remember the Crisis Communication Chapter conversation we had last year about a group of multistakeholder individuals who came together to create awareness in Kibera about COVID-19, well, they had a re-run. For this phase, they focused on Communication and conflict management and they targeted
the recently held elections in Kenya.

Historically, Kenya has had cases of post-election tension and violence especially in informal settlements and in Opposition territory. It was therefore prudent for the chapter to take the conversation to the ground, with the advantage of already having worked with the community on COVID-19 and established networks and relationships. The second phase focused on conflicts during election, and how, months down the recently held general elections, people in informal settlements including Kibera and Kisumu were responding to the news that it was not the opposition leader who took the seat, but rather the former vice president. There was an anticipation of protests but the calm that descended the nation was worth understanding.

The term last minute reflections is linked to events that occurred towards the end of the project that shed light on misinformation and disinformation in informal settlements and raised insights and learning moments within the team. Recently, former opposition leader, and former prime minister called for demonstrations. Coincidentally during the same time, there were on going demonstrations in Africa in South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Kenya. The thing about the demonstrations in Kenya was that they were centered in Nairobi, in informal settlements, including Kibera and Mathare, and in
Kisumu – our key geographical areas of engagement.

Listen in to Felix Kokonya and Pauline Okenga as they share insights and reflections on the project