Kenya is embarking on a transformative journey that intertwines cultural heritage with economic development. At the forefront of this initiative is the Indigenous Knowledge Management System (IKMS), a groundbreaking project launched by the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) during the 8th NMK Science Expo held on June 18, 2025. This initiative underscores the nation’s commitment to preserving indigenous knowledge while fostering economic growth through heritage conservation.
The IKMS aims to document and protect Kenya’s rich cultural heritage by creating a digital repository that encompasses traditional foods, local cuisines, indigenous technologies, traditional medicines, heritage sites, and cultural expressions. This initiative aligns with Kenya’s Vision 2030 Fourth Medium-Term Plan (MTP IV), which emphasizes the development of cottage industries and the promotion of cultural heritage as a catalyst for economic transformation.
Central to this effort is the Indigenous Knowledge Innovation Bank (InKiBank), a pioneering platform designed to safeguard indigenous intellectual assets. InKiBank serves two primary functions: protecting the intellectual property rights of indigenous communities and promoting these assets as market-ready innovations through value addition, research, and commercialization.
The Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expressions Act (2016, revised 2018) provides a legal foundation for the IKMS. This Act recognizes culture as the foundation of the nation and outlines the government’s obligation to promote all forms of national and cultural expression, including protecting intellectual property rights related to traditional knowledge and cultural expressions. It establishes mechanisms for communities to grant access, negotiate benefits, and prevent unauthorized use of their cultural heritage.
The IKMS project is a collaborative endeavor involving 13 counties: Garissa, Kakamega, Kericho, Kilifi, Kisii, Makueni, Marsabit, Murang’a, Narok, Siaya, Tharaka Nithi, Turkana, and Vihiga. These counties have partnered with NMK to document and digitize indigenous knowledge, enriching farmers’ value chains and supporting cottage industries. This initiative aligns directly with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BeTA), focusing on community-driven development and economic empowerment.
Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage Hon. Hannah Wendot Cheptum said, “Local communities play a pivotal role in this process, granting access to their traditional knowledge and participating in the documentation and digitization efforts. This inclusive approach ensures that the benefits derived from the use of indigenous knowledge are equitably shared with the communities that are its custodians.”
According to National Museums of Kenya Director General Professor Mary Gikungu, NMK is responsible for field and lab research, extensive fossil collections (including early hominid remains), and climate change and environmental reconstructions. “We are also proud to house East Africa’s largest zoological reference collections – over 2 million invertebrate samples, 43,000 fish, 30,000 birds and 20,000 mammal specimens. Our scientists implement taxonomic ecological conservation (e.g. bat–vector surveillance) and support studies in plant taxonomy, climate adaptation and food security. Here at NMK, we pride ourselves in maintaining Kenya’s largest East Africa Herbarium for sustainable plant use strategies. Furthermore, we document and preserve Kenya’s diverse cultural heritage – which includes artifacts, oral histories and traditions,” she said.
Integrating indigenous knowledge into the economy offers numerous benefits. It promotes sustainable practices, preserves biodiversity, and enhances food security by utilizing traditional agricultural methods and natural remedies. Moreover, it fosters innovation by combining traditional wisdom with modern technology, leading to the development of new products and services.
The IKMS and InKiBank are instrumental in transforming indigenous knowledge into viable economic assets. By providing a platform for the protection and commercialization of cultural heritage, these initiatives contribute to the diversification of the economy and the creation of employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas.
As Kenya continues to embrace its cultural heritage as a driver of economic transformation, the Indigenous Knowledge Management System stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to sustainable development. By safeguarding and promoting indigenous knowledge, Kenya not only preserves its cultural identity but also paves the way for a more inclusive and resilient economy.
