The government is in the process of partnering with traditional medicine practitioners to enhance their work.
National Museums of Kenya director Mzalendo Kibunjia said traditional cures have been under-utilised for a long time.
Kibunjia said many countries such as India, China and Brazil use traditional medicine widely. During this coronavirus pandemic, the medicine earned America $27 billion, he said.
He was speaking during a consultative forum with herbalists from Kirinyaga, Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi counties.
Kibunjia said the government is working with herbalists to mainstream traditional medicine, which is sometimes seen as witchcraft and unhygienic.
He said through Natural Products Industry, a programme run by the National Museums of Kenya, the government will help herbalists package, label and stock their products for local and international markets.
He added that Kenya is endowed with many herbal products for various ailments, which can find their way into international markets.
The director allayed the herbalists’ fears that they may end up being short-changed after giving out information about their products which is their intellectual property.
He said there are laws both nationally and internationally, particularly the Nagoya Protocol, which govern how their products can be safeguarded. Once they are found to be beneficial to the nation and world, the producers will continue benefiting.
Kibunjia said the forums that are being conducted across the country are aimed at working with herbalists to mitigate Covid-19 and other illnesses.
The government is ready to validate herbal formulations that have proven their efficacy, he said.
NPI national coordinator Evans Taracha said they are working with Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service to enhance conservation of forests and wetlands, which are crucial for preservation of medicinal trees and herbs.
Edited by Henry Makori
