Integrating indigenous healing practices with conventional healthcare among the Nandi of Kabiyet, Nandi County, Kenya

Abstract

The emergence of new diseases in the modern times has given rise to a global interest in the use of indigenous medicine alongside the conventional healthcare. Many communities in Africa such as the Nandi of Kabiyet continue to utilize indigenous healing practices for their healthcare yet indigenous medicine is excluded from the formal healthcare structures. The United Nations calls for integrating indigenous healing practices with modern healthcare systems in order to preserve cultural heritage and enhance healthcare accessibility, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals such as Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10). The purpose of this study was to explore the integration of African indigenous knowledge systems on healthcare practices with the modern health care among the Nandi of Kabiyet ward, Kenya. Kabiyet was suitable because it combines strong biomedical capacity, active traditional healer networks and culturally hybrid sacred spaces. The main objective of this study was, to explore the integration of African indigenous knowledge systems and healthcare practices with the modern healthcare systems among the Nandi of Kabiyet, Kenya. Specifically, it sought to investigate the nature and practice of indigenous medicine among the Nandi; to examine the role of Nandi religion in healthcare management practices and to explore the integration of the Nandi indigenous medicine with the conventional healthcare management practices in Kabiyet ward. This was a qualitative study which adopted an exploratory design and a constructivism philosophical paradigm. It was guided by the Holism theory propounded by Jan Smuts (1870-1950) to explain the persistence of the use of indigenous healthcare systems. The study population was the residents of Kabiyet ward. Both primary and secondary sources of data were utilized. Twenty-five respondents who included herbalists, diviners, mediums, priests, midwives, community elders and biomedical practitioners were purposively sampled for the study. Eleven key informants were selected purposively for interviews while fourteen of them for two focus group discussions (of seven each). Data was collected through interviews, observation and focus group discussions. Collected data was analyzed qualitatively using thematic method and presented in a descriptive narrative form. Findings revealed that the Nandi have a vast indigenous knowledge and techniques in healthcare management, the Nandi traditional healing practices are deeply rooted in their cultural and religious beliefs and there are possible ways of integration of Nandi indigenous medicine with modern healthcare systems. The study concludes that, there is a vast knowledge in the nature and practice of indigenous medicine in Africa, African religion has a role in healthcare management practices and there are models of integrating indigenous healing practices with modern healthcare systems. The study recommended that the Nandi people’s vast knowledge and skills of indigenous medicine are significant and need to be utilized into modern health management, some of the Nandi indigenous religious teachings should be incorporated into modern healthcare and that there is need for policy reviews to assist in the integration of the Nandi indigenous medicine with modern healthcare systems. This study is significant because it provides evidence on how African indigenous knowledge and healthcare practices can meaningfully complement modern medical systems among the Nandi of Kabiyet in order to develop a more culturally responsive and accessible healthcare model that can improve patient outcomes in rural communities. The findings will also inform policymakers and healthcare providers as they work to strengthen Kenya’s healthcare system, advance equity in health service delivery, and contribute to national and global health goals such as SDG 3.