Metaphorical responses to the Covid-19 pandemic among the youth in rural Kenya

This study explored the responses to the Covid-19 pandemic as manifested through metaphorical frames among the youth in rural Kenya. The respondents were youth aged (15-24 years) who were native speakers of Lukabaras drawn from the rural areas of Shirugu/Mugai, Chemuche and East Kabras county assembly wards in Kakamega North Sub-County. Thus, a total of 36 youth was purposively sampled across the wards. The responses to the research question were generated through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Data was descriptively analysed based on the religion and education level of the respondents. The findings established that the youth talked about the disease through metaphors. It was revealed that the youth used the metaphors as a survival strategy; however, this led to misinformation regarding the pandemic. As a result, the practices, perceptions and attitudes of the youth towards the pandemic compromised the required behaviour in fighting against the disease. The findings revealed that the youth still conducted faith-based events and carried out home schooling despite their knowledge about the ban on social gatherings and the Covid-19 containment measures. It was recommended that the youth in rural areas should be sensitized on the implications of one’s choice of language when talking about a new phenomenon like Covid-19. The youth should also be included in community-based crisis communication engagements during disease outbreaks to help reduce misinformation and misconception of serious pandemics such as the Covid-19. © 2024, Adonis and Abbey Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.