Nairobi: The government is joining forces with higher education institutions to document and digitize indigenous knowledge and cultural assets across the nation. Mr. Josephat Lowoi Lodoyi, Head of the Minorities and Marginalized Affairs Unit under the Office of the President, highlighted the significance of indigenous knowledge as a crucial instrument for promoting inclusive growth and development.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative aims to preserve traditional knowledge related to climate change adaptation, food security, and biodiversity through local, sustainable practices. Speaking at Maasai Mara University, Mr. Lodoyi emphasized that the project aligns with the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expressions Act 2016. It involves training youth to establish repositories for community-based knowledge, covering areas such as traditional medicine, agriculture, and environmental conservation.
Mr. Lodoyi pointed out that the Kenyan Constitution mandates the State to protect and enhance the indigenous knowledge of biodiversity across all communities. He elaborated that indigenous knowledge encompasses the unique, traditional local knowledge developed within specific community conditions, serving as the foundation for local-level decision-making in various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, and natural resource management.
The global scientific community has acknowledged the importance of integrating scientific and traditional knowledge, as endorsed at the World Conference on Science in Budapest, Hungary, in 1999. Additionally, the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) recognizes the role of indigenous knowledge in conserving natural resources and managing natural disasters.
Despite the intact nature of indigenous knowledge among local communities in Kenya, Mr. Lodoyi expressed concern over the lack of documentation, which puts this knowledge at risk of being lost as its custodians age. He stressed the importance of documenting indigenous knowledge to ensure indigenous communities have a voice in decision-making processes that affect their lives and surroundings.
By institutionalizing Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), policymakers can create more inclusive frameworks that reflect the needs and aspirations of these communities. Documentation will serve as a foundation for advocacy, enabling indigenous people to assert their rights and influence policies impacting their land, resources, and cultural heritage.
Mr. Lodoyi further explained that the methodology for documenting indigenous knowledge must be culturally sensitive and participatory, involving collaborative approaches such as interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory mapping exercises. This ensures the documentation process respects community values and traditions.
He noted that documented knowledge should be integrated into national development strategies, including Vision 2030 and local sustainable development plans. Researchers are encouraged to work alongside indigenous knowledge holders to co-create knowledge products reflecting both perspectives, empowering communities to take ownership of the documentation process.
Mr. Lodoyi highlighted that in other parts of the world, documenting indigenous knowledge has played a vital role in negotiations with government authorities regarding land rights and resource development projects. By showcasing their knowledge, some communities have successfully advocated for policies that respect their rights and promote sustainable land use.
He concluded by stating that policies informed by indigenous knowledge are more likely to address the unique challenges faced by indigenous communities while promoting sustainable practices that benefit broader society. Recognizing IKS as a legitimate source of information opens avenues for dialogue and collaboration, leading to innovative solutions that integrate traditional knowledge systems with modern scientific methods.