The Role of Creative Arts in the Fight against COVID-19 in Kenya

Abstract

Initial response to the outbreak and fast spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) disease was very slow in most countries. Rightly, most efforts at understanding it turned to and concentrated on the medical field, and within a very short time, its economic impact gained a central place in ensuing discussions on the pandemic. Little attention was given to non-health related aspects like the social and psychological implications, the role of religious and other traditional believe systems in understanding and combating Covid-19. Even less thought was given to contribution of the latter factors and others in efforts at fighting its wide spread and measure at containing it. This paper takes the position that fighting the Covid-19 disease needs to be multifaceted in order to present a holistic affront on the dangers it possesses. The paper argues that creative artists have a key role to play in this fight and uses examples from Kenya to indicate that role. It discusses works of artists from different genres of literature, and brings their contribution to the fore. Aspects like the presentation of the pandemic, messages contained, and language used in weaving their art are looked at and their role presented. It concludes that creative artists‘ role in society clearly goes beyond entertainment and calls for them to be included in various initiatives, spanning all sectors including sustainable development efforts and health related campaigns.