Brief: Working with Ruben FM to address SWM and WASH issues in Nairobi through community radio

Supported by the ARISE responsive challenge fund, the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) worked with Ruben FM to address solid waste management (SWM) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) issues in the community through media advocacy via the radio. This brief presents activities, key outcomes, lessons and recommendations. Community radio is a not-for-profit, informative, uncensored, community-owned and community-run radio station that cater to the informational needs of people living in a particular locality, in the languages and formats that are most suitable to the local context. They are key channels for dispersing developmental information from numerous actors on subjects such as health and wellbeing. Radio campaigns are instruments for raising public awareness and providing a voice to the voiceless. In Kenya these stations are usually initiated and controlled by members of a community of interest, or geographical community, and are platforms to express their concerns, needs and aspirations without outside interference or regulation from the Independent Broadcasting Authority. Despite extensive knowledge about the role of radio stations in advocating for health, well-being, and issues related to SWM and WASH in informal settlements, this medium remains under-explored and under-utilized. This brief presents the activities, key outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations based on our work.