On 12 March 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was recorded in Kenya. To curb the spread of the virus, the Government put in place emergency containment measures including a nationwide dusk to dawn curfew; closure of schools, restaurants and businesses; restrictions on gatherings (including in places of worship); social distancing in public and in transport; mandatory use of face masks and hand washing in public places.

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As a result of these restrictions and shutdown of businesses and commercial activity, socio-economic impacts have been severe – particularly on the informal sector, which employs the majority of Kenyans. In response, the Government unveiled an economic assistance package to cushion Kenyans against nancial hardships arising from the COVID-19 crisis, including a fund to assist vulnerable groups. Yet, the impact of the COVID-19 crisis in marginalised communities outside urban areas was not clear. Initial feedback from indigenous organisations and networks indicated that little information on COVID-19 prevention and response had reached indigenous communities, and misinformation was circulating on the spread and impact of COVID-19.

Historically, indigenous communities have been marginalised and experience deep inequalities in access to health care, water and sanitation, education and other basic services. Thus it was unclear how already marginalised communities would be able to comply with Government directives, or take prevention and self-protection measures. There were also indications of increasing gender-based violence in indigenous communities.

For this reason, United Nations Human Rights launched a scoping initiative to document the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on indigenous communities and indigenous women who face multiple forms of discrimination, as groups that are often left behind or marginalised. This initiative is part of engagement to integrate human rights dimensions in the COVID-19 response in Kenya, focusing on inequalities and leaving no one behind. The initiative also built upon existing engagement on indigenous rights, and on sexual and gender-based violence.

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