Unveiling Kenya’s Hidden Wealth: The Untapped Potential of Genetic Resources
By Bernard Gitau @benagitau
In a revelation that underscores Kenya’s untapped potential, the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has disclosed that the country receives a mere Sh 2 million from the sale of genetic resources or through bioprospecting annually. Principal Secretary for the Department of Wildlife, Silvia Museiya, attributed this shortfall to the lack of appropriate research equipment and facilities, hampering exploration in biodiversity prospecting and Access and Benefit Sharing.
“Kenya is a signatory to the Kyoto and Nagoya protocols, which should enable us to unlock the value of our genetic resources. However, the absence of adequate infrastructure has hindered our ability to capitalize on this potential,” expressed Museiya.
Highlighting the disparity, Museiya revealed that the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) only collects Sh 2 million annually through licensing and permitting for companies engaged in harvesting genetic resources.
“The licensing and permitting in KWS receive a meager Sh 2 million annually from a company that harvests our genetic resources,” she stated.
Museiya emphasized Kenya’s richness in genetic materials crucial to industries like pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. This sentiment was echoed by Wildlife Research Institute Director, Dr. Patrick Omondi, who emphasized the urgent need for a wildlife gene bank.
“We are actively involved in groundbreaking efforts such as the conservation of the Northern White Rhinos through IVF. However, due to the lack of a wildlife gene bank and necessary facilities, harvested eggs are flown to Italy for storage,” explained Dr. Omondi.
Dr. Omondi advocated for the establishment of a wildlife gene bank, citing existing gene banks for livestock and humans in the country.
To address these challenges and propel Kenya’s bioprospecting efforts, Wildlife PS Silvia Museiya has requested Sh 369 million for the establishment of state-of-the-art facilities and equipment at the Wildlife Research Institute.
Among Kenya’s wealth of genetic resources lies Lake Bogoria, harboring a hidden treasure trove within its geysers. The lake boasts a unique ecosystem teeming with microbes and microorganisms, yielding enzymes vital for antibiotics and cleaning products.
In a historic incident, a British researcher extracted microorganisms from Lake Bogoria in 1992, later selling them to companies in the Netherlands and the United States. The ensuing legal battle saw the Kenyan government successfully negotiating with Novo-Enzyme, a foreign company, which paid Sh 2.3 million in royalties to the Endorois community for utilizing enzymes derived from bacteria in Lake Bogoria’s hot springs.
The saga of Lake Bogoria underscores the immense potential lying within Kenya’s genetic resources, awaiting exploration and equitable utilization to benefit both its people and its biodiversity.
