A meta-Analytical Review of the Role of Indigenous Knowledge on Environmental Conservation and Climate Change in Kenya

Abstract

Rationale of Study – This paper examines how indigenous environmental knowledge (IEK) can be applied in the conservation and management of natural resources in Kenya. It also explores how IEK can be captured, coded, stored and integrated into climate studies and conservation efforts. Methodology – Due to the lack of consensus on the nature of IEK whether ecosystem management, stewardship, natural resource management or environmental conservation practices, the study used a meta-analytical approach to review scientific publications, papers and published journals in order to develop an overarching framework that would guide the capture, documentation, repositing and archiving of the local IEK. The integration of indigenous knowledge systems into mainstream knowledge offers great potential in strengthening socio-ecological resilience. Findings – The study identified several themes that include environmental stewardship, natural resource management, environmental conservation practises among others that relate to the IEK resources, its effectiveness on environmental management and the integration of IEK into climate change. The findings show that IEK has been applied in environmental conservations efforts in several countries such as the traditional resource usage models, the rain-making tradition of the Luhya Community, resource conservation practices of the Maasai among other practises. The study concludes that IEK can be drawn from several indigenous communities in Kenya that include, the Maasai, Sengwer, Pokot, Samburu among others and with the aid of the information science discipline which leads to the development of an IEK repository in Kenya. Implications – The study recommends that national institutions in Kenya such as Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Kenya Forest Service, and Kenya Wildlife Service be involved in the search for alternative solutions to climate change concerns. Originality – The study is advocating for the formalization and mainstreaming of the communal IEK among the communities in Kenya.