About The Project.

The Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET) with the support of the Civil Peace Service of GIZ has
set up a fact checking and awareness raising desk during this time of COVID-19 pandemic with the sole
purpose of combating incidences of misinformation and fake news circulating on social media, verifying
and relaying factual truthful information to over 10 million people through 23 community radio stations
who are members of our network. In addition to fact checking and awareness raising, we intend to
produce child friendly content which will inform and educate children and teenagers during this uncertain
period of the pandemic.

The novel coronavirus (COVID‐19) was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan City, China and coronavirus
disease declared a pandemic by WHO on 11 March 2020. Kenya reported her first positive case on 12th March
20201. Since confirmation of the first case in China, cases of COVID‐19 have risen exponentially throughout the
world2. This situation got the world unprepared and it has brought us to an indefinite period of disruption of
activities in all the sectors.
The global increase in the number of confirmed cases and reported deaths from COVID‐19 has necessitated
many countries to take stern measures to curb further spread of the disease. In addition to WHO’s guidance for
containment – to test suspected cases, isolate those who test positive, physical and social distancing, regular
hand washing with soap and running water, contact tracing and treatment of severe cases requiring
hospitalization – countries have taken additional measures, including strict movement restrictions among other
containment efforts.
Some of these measures have brought about new socio-economic realities that have not only disrupted
individuals’ economic situation and status but also social norms which have contributed to increased stress
levels and cases of gender-based violence (GBV), and other social ills related to stress 3 . The situation can be
worsened by misinformation and or distortion of information which if not controlled can lead to trauma and
“fear-pandemic”. This can also lead to disobedience of the restrictions which may contribute to an upsurge in
contraction of the coronavirus.

Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET) is partnering with all community radio station decided to create an awareness project to the society and grass-root communities to reduce the spread of coronavirus and minimizing trauma related to the epidemic
through awareness on radio and online platforms.