The Nexus Between Knowledge Management, Evaluation and Development Among the Indigenous Communities

Abstract Information:

Background: Indigenous communities in Kenya have diverse and complex knowledge management systems which has been shared down from generation to generation. Indigenous knowledge has for years contributed to sustainable services and development in the fields such as Nutrition, Medicine, Biodiversity, Climate, Technology, Education, WASH, Peace and Agriculture. Although it is acknowledged that the indigenous knowledge is important, numerous Evaluations methodologies, do not capture this knowledge to amplify its contribution to goals achieved, thus the establishment of African Evaluation Principles and the Indigenous Evaluation Protocols.

Objectives: The survey aimed at capturing indigenous knowledge in selected indigenous communities and give an overview on how it facilitates the achievement of Sustainable goals. This document shares the methodology applied to effectively draw lessons and add to the body of knowledge.
Methodology: The evaluator adopted a participatory action and collaborative ethnography, emersing self into the Meru, Kalenjin and Boran communities, engaging members, observing rituals, rites of passage, listening to stories, and arts in different themes.

Results: The indigenous knowledge is important in contributing to Sustainable development goals. Indigenous knowledge is used to treat illnesses and promote wellbeing and has been effectively applied in agriculture and animal rearing. The knowledge is applied in correcting inequalities and building peace and partnerships.


Conclusion: The evaluation fraternity and governments should draw on indigenous tacit knowledge and combine it with explicit knowledge, in designing evaluations and development programmes. The indigenous knowledge is passed orally and practically and stored in the mind, hence the need to draw on the methodology recommended.

Relevance Statement: There is need for the evaluation fraternity to integrate indigenous knowledge on the methodology and design of the evaluation. The indigenous knowledge is mostly passed orally and practically and stored in the minds of the community members hence the need to put into consideration. The indigenous knowledge is important in majority of the indicated Sustainable development goals (SDGs). In SDG 3, It is Indigenous knowledge is used to treat illnesses and promote wellbeing whereas in SDG 2, the knowledge has been effectively applied in agriculture, food storing and animal rearing has effectively been applied. In the SDG 10, the knowledge is used to correct any inequalities in the community; The indigenous knowledge has been widely applied in SDG 13 and 15 to ensure good environmental practices and combatting climate change. The indigenous community use various methods to predict rainfall or lack of it, through such as animal intestines, smell, and movement of animals. The communities have also built peace (SDG 16) and teach on peaceful co-existence during ceremonies.
The evaluation fraternity as well as governments should tap this tacit knowledge and integrate the explicit knowledge to realize the contribution of indigenous knowledge to development.