Kenyan Youth-led Groups Take Lead on Covid-19 Prevention

Youth-led organizations in Kenya are working to stop the spread of Covid-19 in informal settlements by building handwashing stations, according to UN-Habitat.

With support from UN-Habitat and other government, non-profit, and private partners, there have been an estimated 1.5 million hands washed since the work began 5 months ago. The “One Stop Centers” started with a youth-group at a Nairobi informal settlement and by April had spread to 34 youth-led organizations throughout the country.

“[The youth] said something needed to be done immediately to stop Covid-19 in informal settlements, and we have an idea on what we can do,” UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif said. “Five months later we see the results.”

A symposium organized by the Government of Turkey, Habitat Norway, and others celebrated the work and success of the youth-led organizations. The event focused in part on the ability of local communities and local government to take action and implement solutions during the pandemic.