Tharaka Nithi County becomes the fifth county to roll out the Indigenous Knowledge Documentation and Digitization Project through the National Products Industry (NPI).
The five-day project was on Tuesday 20 June 2023 graced by the PS State Department for Culture and Heritage Ummi Bashir, who noted that the project was part of the government’s efforts to implement Kenya’s protection of Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expressions Act 2016.
According to the PS, Phase 1 of the Documentation and Digitization Project targets 13 counties, where capacity building, training and recruitment of 390 data enumerators and the purchase of hi-tech ICT equipment has been funded by the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund.
The project has come up with indigenous knowledge protection system comprising of data collection, protection, approval and access modules.
“The final product of this project will be the creation of an indigenous knowledge innovation bank. This will serve as a platform for lawful action and utilization of communities through creativity and innovativeness to generate wealth, create jobs and improve livelihoods”, the PS said.
She further called on county governments to develop appropriate county legislative frameworks as well as mainstream the Indigenous Knowledge Documentation and Digitization Project in their County Integrated Plans and annual budgets.
“Counties are expected to continue with documentation and digitization of their assets. The National Government through the State Department of Culture and Heritage will build capacity for counties and local communities and initiate pilot programs towards the long-term goal”, she added.
Host Governor Muthomi Njuki in his remarks said the protection, preservation, promotion and valorization of culture as a nation was vital for the growth of marketplace, mainly for the promotion of tourism through culture and heritage.
The Governor assured that his government through the department of culture and tourism will work with the National Government in actualization of the project and follow up on data collection in the county.
“Adequate support will be accorded to the department in a bid to conserve culture. All indigenous culture in the county will be digitized to offer protection against culture theft”, he said.
According to Njuki, Tharaka Nithi County Cultural and Heritage Policy is at public participation stage. In addition, the Governor noted that the county was in the process of drafting a comprehensive tourism policy.
He further asked Members of the County Assembly to give a consideration to the department of culture and heritage and pass bills related to the protection of culture.
Indigenous Knowledge Intellectual Assets prioritized in the county include cultural sites, shrines, traditional medicines and cultural attires.
Thirteen counties included in Phase 1 include Kakamega, Garissa, Kericho, Kisii, Makueni, Kilifi, Marsabit, Murang’a, Siaya, Turkana, Vihiga and Tharaka Nithi.
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