ROLE OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE PRACTICES ON SUSTAINABLE ECOLOGICAL CONSERVATION IN COUNTY GOVERNMENTS IN KENYA: A CASE OF MACHAKOS COUNTY
Abstract
The general objective of the study was to establish the role of indigenous knowledge practices on sustainable ecological conservation in County Governments in Kenya: A case of Machakos County. The study employed descriptive research design. The target population was 860 members that included community elders, Government Representatives (chiefs and sub-chiefs), Church and Religious leaders and representatives from the civil society. The Slovenes formula was used to obtain a sample size of 273. The study made use of the questionnaire as the main data collection tool. Quantitative data was coded using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22. Inferential analysis was used in relation to correlation analysis and regression analysis to test the relationship between the four explanatory variables and the explained variable. The study established that indigenous culture, culture, technology and policy framework played a significant role on the sustainable ecological conservation in county governments in Kenya. The study recommended that there is need to enhance indigenous cultural beliefs which are constantly struggling to maintain their place in environmental conservation in a system dominated by scientific worldviews. The study recommended for improvement on the indigenous education through community dialogue, coaching and apprenticeship, word of mouth by custodians of traditional knowledge form part of training on agriculture and land use. The study recommended that there is need to enhance indigenous tools as part of a rich knowledge base used to ensure sustainable land use. The study recommended that there is need to improve indigenous values, beliefs and practices relating to land use and natural resource conservation lost due to lack of policies and legislation to ensure their protection. This can be carried out by both the National and County governments in assisting communities’ to document, preserve and disseminate indigenous knowledge on environment conservation and land use.
Key Words: Indigenous Culture, Education, Technology Policy Framework, Sustainable Conservation
CITATION Kilungu, P. W. K., & Moronge, M. (2019). Role of indigenous knowledge practices on sustainable ecological conservation in county governments in Kenya: A case of Machakos County, Kenya. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 6 (4), 809 – 825
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v6i4.1427
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