Conspiracy Theories, Community Radio, and Uptake of COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors in Kenya. A Case of SIFA FM

Abstract

The onset of COVID-19 in December 2019 in Wuhan China ushered in a new normal in the way the society handled its issues.  However, measures were put to contain it. This pandemic unlike others was surrounded by lots of conspiracy theories regarding its origin, purpose, and measures put in place to contain it. The purpose of this study was to show how conspiracy theories and radio communication influenced the uptake of COVID-19 preventive measures in two SIFA FM station audiences, Voi and Marsabit.   A sample of 200 participants filled out a survey with closed and open-ended questions in July to October 2021. The results showed that marital status and the location of the participant influenced the perception of susceptibility and uptake of COVID-19 preventive measures. The audience had great faith in the radio and listened to it often. Generally, there was a high perception of the intake of COVID-19 preventive measures, and low perception of participants’ susceptibility to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a moderate perception of conspiracy beliefs. Half of the participants were willing to take up vaccines but a good number were still doubtful of vaccines.   Thus, the radio should tailor intervention messages based on the risk perception of different groups in its audience.  In addition, different conspiracy theories circulated in different locations, and the two cultures had different perception levels of their risk to the pandemic