The ogiek peoples’ indigenous knowledge: a pathway towards sustainable natural resource management in the mau forest, Kenya

Abstract

This paper attempts to explore if indigenous knowledge (IK) has the potential to manage natural resources , and offer a new pathway towards sustainable natural resource management practices in the Mau F orest (MF) . By looking into the cultural and historical r esource management practice of the Ogiek tribe in the MF, natural resource managers can inco rporate traditional ecological knowledge and bring a sense of responsi bility, accountability, respectability and communality into resource management practices on - and - off protected natural resource landscapes . IK - based natural resource management practices were sourced from interviews conducted with the Ogiek elders / opinion leaders, and natural resource managers at the MF , and q ualitative ly t arget ed three sustainability themes ; cultural preservation, socio - economic v iability and ecological integrity , besides government intervention . Cultural preservation (41%) , ecological integrity (32%) , social - economic v iability (18%) , and government intervention (09%) were ranked as most important thru least important respectively. The study concluded that IK can serve as a valuable tool for natural resources management practice , and if mainstreamed, it holds potential to move politically connected tribes who are the main beneficiaries of the unsustainable harvesting of natural resources towards a positive ‘can - do’ future for sustainability. The study recommended that a national policy or framework on IK systems be developed in order to preserve, protect, and promote IK values for a more balanced and effective natural resource management p ractice for a sustainable future.