Kip-Agenge Knowledge: Governing Indigenous Medicinal Knowledge for Future Generations in Africa

Abstract

African communities are known for local and traditional medicine; the urgency of digitizing and governing Indigenous knowledge on traditional medicine has become increasingly evident due to the impending loss of Indigenous knowledge resulting from COVID-19, climate change, and aging Indigenous knowledge holders. The study examines the governance of traditional medicine among the Keiyo community of Kenya. A qualitative approach was adopted, employing thematic analysis and the Governing Knowledge Commons framework to guide the mapping of local and Indigenous medical commons, evaluation of policy frameworks, knowledge cafés, and discussions with Indigenous knowledge holders and practitioners from diverse backgrounds. Ethical considerations were integral to the research, incorporating an epistemic justice framework reflective of the author's positionality. The research highlights the impact of the GKC framework on Indigenous knowledge practices in sustainable resource management, as well as its contribution to the governance of Indigenous medicine.