dc.description.abstract | There is a close nexus between biological and cultural diversity. International instruments that
recognize this nexus include the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) and the Convention
Concerning the Protection of the Worlds Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972). Traditional forest
related knowledge is disappearing leading to forest degradation. Therefore, this study sought to
examine methods through which traditional knowledge can be protected to ensure sustainable
forest management. The Constitution of Kenya (2010) and Forest Conservation and Management
Act (2014) call for the protection of traditional knowledge. The Protection of Traditional
Knowledge and Cultural Expression Act (2016) was enacted to provide a framework for the
protection and promotion of traditional knowledge and cultural expressions. However, this Act
only seeks to protect commercial interests arising from the exploitation of this knowledge but not
conservation of natural resources. This study begins to address the knowledge gap by exploring
the traditional knowledge of the Mijikenda community relevant to sustainable management of
the Kaya forests. The study sought to; identify the traditional knowledge of the Mijikenda
community that has contribute to the sustainable management of the Kaya Forests, appraise the
effectiveness of the law and policy in protecting the traditional knowledge of the Mijikenda
community relevant to sustainably managing of Kaya Forests and To investigate ways of
integrating traditional knowledge into modern forest management practices. . Data was collected
through questionnaires, key informant interviews and participatory observation. Respondents
were drawn from villages adjacent to Kaya Kauma and Kaya Kinondo forests. Data was
collected from four (4) focused group discussion comprising 4-12 respondents representing men,
women, the elderly and youth. In-depth interviews of 9 key informants drawn from the National
Museums of Kenya, Coastal Forest Conservation Unit, Kenya Copyrights Board, Kenya
Industrial Property Institute, World Agro-Forestry, Kaya elders, and the Water, Environment &
Natural Resources department of Kilifi County, was conducted. Thematic content analysis was
used to analyze qualitative data. Quantitative data analysis was analyzed through descriptive
statistics presented in charts and tables where necessary. This study has shown that traditional
forest knowledge of the Mijikenda community is crucial to the sustainable management of the
Kaya forests. Furthermore, the National and County government agencies tasked with the
protection of traditional knowledge are not performing their roles. Moreover, government
agencies do not work together to achieve this mutual goal. This study has confirmed that
traditional knowledge is disappearing. The application of Mijikenda customary laws relating to
forest management is not homogenous. In addition, knowledge on medical plants is
commercially exploited by herbalists without benefiting the community. Members of the
Mijikenda community are protecting their knowledge and customs through transmission to
younger generations through instruction, practical lessons and cultural ceremonies. Some
knowledge on medicinal plant and divination is kept a secret and is only shared among members
of a family or clan. This study recommends the amendment of the law to include a listing
system for all types of traditional knowledge and not just forest related the establishment of a
central data base recording all the existing traditional forest related knowledge. A multistakeholder
approach should be adopted in the protection of traditional knowledge. Research
should be done on how contracts can be entered between holders of traditional knowledge and
knowledge seekers especially knowledge relating to genetic resources and medical plants. | en_US |