COVID-19 and community healthcare: perspectives from Nairobi’s informal settlements

Urban slums are often characterized by overcrowding, inaccessibility of basic services such as running water and abject poverty. These may affect adherence to COVID-19 containment measures and worsen the effect of the virus on slum residents. We explore the overall practices and impact of the COVID-19 mitigation measures on the lives of Nairobi’s urban poor. This was done through a three-week cycle of telephone interviews with residents, local healthcare providers, religious leaders and key decision makers in two of Nairobi’s slums. As the number of COVID-19 cases increase in Kenya, greater efforts are needed to protect those in environments that make it challenging to implement the containment measures. Collaborative effort is needed to firmly and quickly implement social protections and food security measures, protection against domestic violence, and strengthening response at Level One (community level).