Kenyan Baseline Report: Covid-19 and The Youth Question in Africa: Response, Impacts and Prevention Measures in the IGAD Region

Abstract

Organisation for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) in collaboration with CEWARN-IGAD, Makerere University (Uganda), OSSREA Kenya Chapter and CCRDA (Ethiopia) were funded by IDRC-Canada to conduct a study entitled: COVID-19 and the Youth Question in Africa: Response, Impact and Prevention Measures in the IGAD Region.

The study was conducted in three IGAD member states, namely Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda This survey report presents the Kenyan study conducted by OSSREA Kenyan Chapter. It addressed the youth question, focusing on how they were mobilized to participate in COVID 19 response; their capacity to participate; nature and involvement level they were engaged in; policy engagement and knowledge sharing; and accountability in COVID 19 response.

UNHCR recommends that one tactic to combat the spread of the virus in vulnerable communities must be to engage local youth and youth networks. This survey re-emphasizes the value government, CBOs, FBOs, CSOs and any Youth Organizations may gain by tapping into youth creativity and innovation. This survey has revealed non engagement of youth participation in COVID 19 response.