Understanding Community-led and Collaborative Responses to Covid-19 in Nairobi

Grassroots and civil society groups in Nairobi significantly contributed to raising awareness about Covid-19 by using several creative strategies that can usefully complement official risk communication strategies. An array of non-state actors – including community health volunteers (CHVs), private firms, youth, women’s, faith-based and refugee-led organisations – were also key in assisting marginalised residents, but these efforts would benefit considerably from additional governmental support and recognition. Collaborations between state and non-state actors took various forms but were typically emergency responses (such as providing cash or food assistance), which did not necessarily adopt a strategic, longer-term approach to address urban poverty and deprivation. Other emerging interventions – such as to counter police brutality, support multi-sectoral upgrading and engage constructively with informality – may open newfound possibilities of more lasting, equitable change.