Santos Madhiu – KANERE Staff Writer November 2020
Refugee FM Kakuma and Kalobeyei Radio, shortened as REF FM KK, is a community-based radio station in the Kalobeyei refugee settlement. The station is run by and for refugees and host communities and the FM frequency channel is 88.4.
Immediately after it started airing in April 2020, REF FM KK was fortunate to broker a deal with GIZ, in partnership with KCOMNET, to deliver COVID-19 life saving information. According to Mr. Martin Lolik, the community leader for Kalobeyei Village 1 Neighborhood 29, the community is learning facts about the pandemic from the radio. This is particularly relevant as it was initially difficult to choose what information to believe, due to the “infodemic” – the spreading of misinformation throughout the community.
I surveyed some community In May and my findings indicated that there is reason to believe that refugees are listening to information and following guidance in regard to the coronavirus. As per the observation, the community has already taken many steps to ensure that they stay safe. These include making water and soap available for hand washing and wearing masks while outside of homes. After having listened to the Radio’s fact-checking on coronavirus, many people are re-thinking their initial concerns that buying second hand clothes imported from coronavirus infected countries would spread the virus locally.
Some said that the coronavirus could not come to Kakuma as it is too hot for the virus to survive, but having carefully listened to the REF FM KK Radio, the surrounding community now understands that the virus can survive in any climate.
Even though there is now a radio station in the community, not everyone is able to listen to it as some people lack the necessary resources to do so. A chairlady in Kalobeyei Village 1 Maburo Venacia was also quick to acknowledge the impact the radio had on her neighborhood, despite her personal challenge of having no access to a radio or phone of her own: “I have never followed or listened to this Radio of Kalobeyei. Not because I don’t like to listen to it, but because I personally don’t have a radio and also don’t have a phone to listen to. But I was so glad when I heard of our new radio station here in Kalobeyei. It is no doubt it has impressed the people,” said Venacia.
Community members are happy and appreciative of the work done by the REF FM KK Radio, in alliance with the GIZ and Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET).
In Kalobeyei, the leaders are full of gratitude for the radio. A community leader in Kalobeyei Village 2 Mr. Odhiang expressed happiness when he was contacted:”I am so happy to the REF FM KK Radio for the tremendous role they have played, keeping our community well informed of the best way they can keep themselves safe against Coronavirus disease”.
“The music, news, and COVID-19 awareness have been my source of entertainment and information for the last one month, every hour I have to make sure I get something from the radio” added Etaman John, an inhabitant of Village One.