“I wish to appeal to the youth to become part of the solution by taking certain measures that will bolster the fight against the disease.” In April, 2020 Mutahi Kagwe, the Health Cabinet Secretary urged the youth to use their energy and their organizational prowess to help the country in the fight against coronavirus pandemic and implored them to be part of creating awareness among Kenyans on the need to obey the directives. Young artists took this advice head on, especially in informal settlements were they are using various talents including murals to educate the community and create awareness on the prevention of COVID-19.
Inter-religious Council of Kenya in partnership with the US Embassy through the Building Interfaith Bridges project is sensitizing and educating communities on the need to obey and on strictly following the directives as given by the Ministry of Health. Thus interfaith youth in Nairobi unveiled a brightly colored mural on prevention of the spread of Covid 19 at Kariobangi Social Justice Centre (KSJC). The unveiling was in collaboration with youth from KSJC; the main objective of this center is to organize, educate and liberate the community from all form of injustices in Kariobangi North community and the surrounding.
Speaking during the event Stephano Otieno, head of communication at the KSJC, highlighted the different pillars of the center: right to life/police accountability; good governance and leadership/Article 43; reproduction health/SGBV; youth mentorship program; sports/talents and art program; and environment pillar.
The main objective of this center is to organize, educate and liberate the community from all form of injustices in Kariobangi North community and the surrounding.”
The brightly colored mural depicts a face of a lady wearing a mask, whilst holding a sanitizer in one hand and soap on the other, with ‘wash hands, sanitize, wear masks’ wordings boldly written across it. The location of the mural is next to Kariobangi Social Hall and an open playing ground where 100s of youth as well as residents of Kariobangi North frequent daily.
“This is a community based center which brings passionate youths and few middle class age society together to champion their rights and to provide solution to the community. The essence of this painting is to use the arts to advocate the artistic activist to fight against Covid 19,” commented Stephano during the unveiling of the mural.
Youths are the future and are multi-talented therefore they should continue using these talents to help flatten the curve.”
Inter- Religious Council of Kenya Chairman, Rev. Fr. Mutie who was in attendance of the unveiling of the wall encouraged the youth not to give up on educating and helping inform the community as it will help curb the pandemic. He added that youths are the future and are multi-talented therefore they should continue using these talents to help flatten the curve.
IRCK also presented masks and sanitizers to the youths and the communities in the area including the OCS of Kariobangi North Police station.
By Mary N. Ndulili
The Inter-Religious Council - Kenya Blog 
A creative way of telling the story by vijana.
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