An Exploration of Wall Murals as a Tool to Communicate Peaceful Coexistence in Informal Settlements: the Case of Kibera, Kenya

Abstract

In this study, murals are defined as illustrative drawings on public places that use multiple colours, themes and designs to pass messages of peaceful coexistence among people living in one community. Murals, in this study, also describe public artworks that criticise actions that lead to the lack of peace in informal settlements. While there are other avenues of communication, murals and wall arts are attractive, easy to identify on public places and convenient avenues for displaying similar values such as culture, nationalism and peaceful coexistence among others. There exists gaps in explaining the frequency and effectiveness of the use of murals as a communication tool for advancing peaceful coexistence in informal settlements in Kenya. In this study, data was collected by use of questionnaires and from one-on-one sessions with residents of Kibera infromal settlements who often interact with different murals in the area. After identifying the mural to be studied, a random group of about five respondents was identified and their responses recorded upon them issuing their infromed consent. A qualitative descriptive research method was adopted, capturing in detail and in raw format, the perceptions and frequency of use of murals by residents of Kibera informal settlements in Nairobi City County, Kenya. 15 pieces of art were identified, and by the use of random observation, combined with the application of snowball sampling. The data was then be sorted based on the extent of use of murals as a tool of communicating peaceful coexistence in informal settlements or lack of it. The analysis of this data was largely manual, with the researcher inputting actual responses as provided by the interviewees.