Launch Of The Indigenous Knowledge Innovation Bank (INKiBank): Benefits And Impacts For Local Communities

Introduction

More than just a repository, the Indigenous Knowledge Innovation Bank (INKiBank) is an initiative designed to document and digitize the invaluable intellectual assets of local communities across the 47 counties in Kenya.¹ This project is a result of a partnership among county governments, state agencies; such as the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), and local communities; known as the DoDi Programme, and is based at the National Museums of Kenya.²

The INKiBank project was initiated in 2024, at the 1st Joint International Scientific Conference, that was held between 3rd and 6th June, and this national platform is aimed at helping communities grant access to their traditional knowledge, set user rights, and negotiate benefits from any monetary gain derived from their indigenous knowledge.³ It was later officially launched on 21 April 2026, by the Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, the Arts, and Heritage, with the first phase in its rollout already underway.⁴ This initiative is also in line with the Social pillar under Kenya’s Vision 2030, that aims for an equitable social development in the building of a just and cohesive society.⁵

Impact of the INKiBank

The implementation of INKiBank could have significant social and economic implications for local communities. The programme is designed to benefit the community members that have developed and preserved these assets.¹¹

Benefits to the community members.

One of the major impacts might be the economic empowerment of the community members. The launch of the INKiBank seeks to create job opportunities, as well as sectors to promote the commercialization of these indigenous knowledge assets.¹² By documenting these assets, investment in this sector is facilitated, thereby promoting the growth of indigenous knowledge assets and generating economic benefits for the community.

Additionally, the documentation and recognition of indigenous knowledge also affords holders protection as per the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expressions Act, as these assets are recognised as belonging to a specific community, and not the state.¹³ This also protects the community members’ interests, as the benefits derived from their indigenous knowledge trickle back to them.¹⁴ Further, it preserves the cultural expressions of various communities, thus making them an asset that is protected and promoted by the Government and through the combination of traditional knowledge and modern technology, there is innovation surrounding the development of new products and services.¹⁵

Legal protection and governance

The implementation of the knowledge bank could afford a number of legal protections to the indigenous knowledge assets of the community members. Practically, this could mean that the community members will have their indigenous knowledge preserved in a central repository that can be accessed by anyone, not just community members. The use of this indigenous knowledge for economic gain would require free, prior and informed consent, not just of the use of the indigenous knowledge, but also of the possible implications to the community. While innovation may lead to the development of new techniques and products, influenced by modern technology, the ownership of the indigenous knowledge remains with the community, and any economic value derived from this trickles back to the community. However, questions remain regarding how consent will be obtained, who within the community has the authority to grant it and whether communities possess sufficient legal and technical capacity to negotiate equitable agreements with the government and private actors.

Next steps in the implementation of the INKiBank

The gradual roll out of the INKiBank will be in 3 distinct phases that will all eventually cover all 47 counties in Kenya.

Phase 1, the current implementation phase of INKiBank, is focusing on 13 counties, which include Muranga, Narok, Kisii, Kilifi, Makueni, Tharaka Nithi, Kericho, Kakamega and Vihiga. This phase will include the documentation and digitisation of their intellectual assets.¹⁶ Currently, the project has been well received in some counties, but the project continues to face suspicion from the communities on the motives behind the collection and recording of their knowledge, with some community members suspecting that the project coordinators were there to pick their knowledge without compensating them.¹⁷ However, to combat this, the National Government Administration Officers held public barazas to create awareness in the communities regarding the main aim of the project, and how it will benefit the community.¹⁸ Phase 2 will involve a set of another 20 counties, and later phase 3 will clear the remaining 14 counties so that all 47 counties are covered.¹⁹

The success of INKIBank will also depend on the institutional capacity of both the National and County Governments. Digitising indigenous knowledge across 47 counties requires substantial financial resources, technical expertise and long term coordination, alongside proper and intentional community engagement.

In conclusion, the Indigenous Knowledge Innovation Bank (INKiBank) stands as a transformative bridge between Kenya’s rich heritage and its economic future. By moving beyond simple preservation to active value addition and commercialization, this initiative ensures that the wisdom of local communities is not only protected under the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expressions Act 2016, but also serves as a practical step for sustainable economic growth.

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