The national government has completed recording information on indigenous and native communities in Kilifi county.
The documentation detailing rich cultural knowledge of the Mijikenda and Watta communities will not only help in cultural preservation but also be used to attract tourists.
Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa said the Indigenous Knowledge and Digitisation project is being implemented in 13 counties.
She said the initiative is being implemented with the support of Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund.
Jumwa said the project is in line with the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expressions Act 2016, which was amended in 2018. It focuses on documenting and digitising indigenous knowledge assets of all communities in Kenya.
“My ministry through the National Product Industry Initiative, a Kenya Vision 2030 flagship project located at the National Museum of Kenya, has piloted phase one of the indigenous knowledge documentation and digitisation project in 13 counties,” she said.
The CS said the project is being implemented in Garissa, Kakamega, Kericho, Kilifi, Kisii, Makueni, Marsabit, Murang’a, Siaya, Tharaka Nithi, Turkana and Vihiga counties.
Jumwa said the process involved sensitisation of different stakeholders, capacity building and 30-day active documentation and digitising the indigenous knowledge of the people of Kilifi.
She said the project came up with an indigenous knowledge management system, one of its kind in the county and continent, which was designed and developed by a Kenyan software engineer.
Jumwa said the final product would be an indigenous knowledge bank that will comprise of the county digital registers interlinked at a national repository.
“The indigenous knowledge innovation bank will provide a platform for value addition and commercialisation leading to jobs and wealth creation and improve the livelihoods of the local communities,” she said.
Jumwa said the ministry, together with other government agencies, will ensure proper mechanisms of access and benefit-sharing are put in place and enforced.
The CS said other benefits from the project include prevention of piracy of assets.
She said Kilifi county digital record had been established and was fully functional and all records and equipment handed over to Governor Gideon Mung’aro.
Jumwa also directed a crackdown on fake pastors and witch doctors who contribute to the killing of the elderly people in Kilifi.
She said the witch doctors and fake preachers should be arrested.
Governor Mung’aro said his government will employ youth in all the 35 wards to help in the research and documentation of the local cultural heritage.
He said Kilifi was rich in cultural heritage including herbal medicine to treat different diseases, traditional food, drinks, dances and art.
“Under this project all this heritage will be documented and put in a special server system. Apart from that, my government will work with other agencies to ensure this indigenous knowledge is used to create jobs and boost the economy,” Mung’aro said.
He assured Kaya elders that his administration will begin to pay special attention to the Kayas, particularly Kaya Fungo which was under threat.
Kilifi North MP Owen Baya said through the project the future generation will get an opportunity to learn and know their rich cultural heritage.
“Even if you will have no guidance, he will be able to know who a Giriama person is and how they used to live by just going to the internet and learn,” he said.
National Museums of Kenya director general Dr Mary Gikungu said the project was part of others that have been identified by Vision 2030 to support the Economic Pillar.
“This project, among others, is fulfilling the core agenda of the National Museums of Kenya in which intangible and tangible knowledge is harnessed and promoted to contribute to the attainment of socioeconomic development of our country,” she said.
Jillo Onoto, a representative of the Watta community, said Kilifi has a rich culture.
Deputy government spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga said the people should use their culture and heritage to promote not only unity but economic development.
