Brief: Working with Koch FM to address WASH issues through community radio
Supported by the ARISE responsive challenge fund, the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) worked with Koch FM to address water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and solid waste management (SWM) issues through community radio. Community radio usually refers to short-range, not-for-profit radio stations that cater to the informational needs of people living in a particular locality, in the languages and formats that are most suitable to the local context. They are key channels for dispersing developmental information from numerous actors on subjects such as health and wellbeing. In Kenya these stations are usually initiated and controlled by members of a community of interest, or geographical community, and are platforms to express their concerns, needs and aspirations without outside interference or regulation from the Independent Broadcasting Authority. Despite a wealth of knowledge on the role of radio stations in advocacy around health and wellbeing as well as SWM and WASH related concerns, in informal settlements it is still an underexplored and underutilised medium. This brief presents activities, key outcomes, lessons and recommendations based on our activity.
Brief: Working with Koch FM to address WASH issues through community radio