Kenya plans to formally integrate traditional medicine into its national healthcare system by 2028, in a move aimed at widening access to treatment, preserving indigenous knowledge and supporting medical research and innovation.
Under the proposal, traditional remedies and practices will be regulated, scientifically assessed, and used alongside conventional medicine, ending decades of informal practice outside the public health system.
The initiative is being led by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) through its Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research. The centre is responsible for evaluating the safety, effectiveness and quality of traditional treatments before they are approved for wider use.
Dr Jeremiah Gathirwa, Senior Principal Research Scientist and Deputy Director at the centre, said the policy shift is about validating long-standing health practices through science, rather than replacing modern medicine.
He said remedies that have been used for generations will be tested and standardised to ensure they meet national health and safety standards, allowing them to be introduced in a structured and regulated manner.
According to Gathirwa, KEMRI has already conducted laboratory and observational studies on several traditional treatments, particularly those linked to conditions such as cancer, diabetes, metabolic disorders, and parasitic infections. He said while some claims can be tested in laboratories, others require patient-based observation studies to assess outcomes over time.
He added that the lack of documented evidence and regulatory frameworks has previously prevented traditional remedies from being used in hospitals, despite their widespread use in communities.
The government has also placed emphasis on protecting indigenous knowledge. Kenya is applying national laws and international agreements on intellectual property, prior informed consent and benefit-sharing to ensure that communities and traditional practitioners benefit from any medical breakthroughs derived from their knowledge.
–ChannelAfrica–
