Perceptions towards Government Communication Strategies on COVID-19 Vaccination in Kenya
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Date
2021-10
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Asian Journal of Humanities and Social Studies (
Abstract
Kenya, like most countries in the world, continues to battle with the effects of the novel coronavirus
(nCoV) popularly known as COVID-19. The rise in infections cannot be compared with a paltry 3% of the population
that is fully vaccinated – a concern that puts the blame squarely on the way government has communicated on vaccine
uptake. While there is an appreciation of constraining factors such as vaccine nationality ‘wars’, it is disturbing that
where vaccines are availed, there remains anecdotal evidence on what spurs the hesitancy to take up vaccine in Kenya.
This study sought to establish what drives the hesitancy in vaccine uptake by exploring the perceptions of COVID-19
survivors towards the communication strategies utilized by government to urge Kenyans to get vaccinated. The social
influence theory provided a lens for understanding this phenomenon. Government communication strategies are
competing with many voices that either deny the form of existence of the virus and hence refute the place of vaccines,
or speak of the inefficiency of the vaccine, or create conspiracies around the use of vaccines. Good communication
strategies seem to be the missing link in spurring the take up of COVID-19 vaccines and pushing the population to herd
immunity. Only then, can the country encourage socio-economic development. This study answered research questions
that explore problems, prospects, and perspectives that COVID-19 survivors (n=10) had towards the government
communication strategies. The study took a phenomenological approach utilizing lived experiences of the survivors (5
now fully vaccinated and 5 are yet vaccinated). Explicated data was presented in themes. Participants noted use of
different government communication strategies such as publicized vaccination of senior government officials; use of
influencers; and use of media briefings. Based on findings and personal reflections, government communication
strategies used by the government were reactive, pompous (or ignorant), and/or contradictory.
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Journal Article
Keywords
Government communication, Communication strategies, COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines
Citation
Daniel Robert Aswani (2021). Perceptions towards government communication strategies on COVID-19 vaccination in Kenya” in Asian Journal of Humanities and Social Studies. Vol. 9(5) (October 2021) 181-192.