SERVICES: National Platforms
Kenya
Context: The Kenya Communicating with Communities technical group was initiated in 2017 following a CDAC Foundational Training in December 2016. Participants decided to start the group with the aim of sharing information, support one another in community engagement initiatives and work collaboratively. It is also a sub-working entity of the Interagency Working Group (IAWG).
Government links: The Kenya Red Cross is the interlocutor.
Leads/Chairs/Co-Chairs: Transparency International (Kenya Chapter) and SOS Kenya.
National and international actors involved: NGOs, INGOs, UN and the Red Cross movement.
Donors: N/A
Opportunities and challenges: Regular meetings are difficult due to conflicting priorities, lack of commitment to the group, lack of a clear strategy.
A regional workshop under the auspices of the Communication and Community Engagement Initiative (CCEI) in 2018 resulted in a renewed plan for collective work. The Nairobi workshop and global interest in community engagement and AAP has provided an opportunity to reinvigorate existing plans and activities, however it remains to be seen whether this will be matched by increased funding and clear commitments from overall response leaders.
There is an opportunity for increased engagement pertaining to preparedness in Kenya, due to various overlapping initiatives including the DEPP.
