By Henry Neondo
Kipkurui Arap Koech’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between traditional knowledge, conservation, and the challenges posed by modernity.
Born in 1946 and deeply rooted in the Mau Forest catchment area in Kenya’s Rift Valley, Koech has spent much of his adult life working as an herbalist. His journey is one of perseverance, wisdom, and commitment to preserving both his craft and the environment that sustains it.
However, as the forest that has nourished his work faces increasing destruction and the younger generation shows little interest in the traditional practices that once thrived, Koech finds himself confronting a crisis that threatens not only his livelihood but also an essential part of Kenya’s cultural heritage.
Koech’s concerns about the destruction of the Mau Forest are well-founded. Like many forest communities around the world, he is witnessing rapid deforestation caused by charcoal production, land clearing for farming, and the construction of houses.
The Mau Forest, which once provided abundant medicinal plants for Koech’s work, is now facing irreversible damage. This deforestation is not only damaging the local ecosystem but also eroding the very resources on which Koech and others like him depend.
For Koech, the forest is more than just a source of raw materials for his herbal medicine; it is a vital part of his identity and cultural heritage. The trees, plants, and herbs he uses are deeply embedded in his spiritual and healing practices, and the loss of these resources represents a direct threat to his ability to continue his work.
In 2005, when the government of Kenya established the Community Forest Associations (CFA), Koech was one of the first to join, recognizing that the survival of his craft and the preservation of the forest were inseparable.
His dedication to the protection of the forest is clear: “This ambivalence to forests will do more than not having proper conservation laws,” he says. His words resonate with findings from other parts of the world, such as the study of the Nagari Sungai Buluh, Mollo, Kampung Naga, Manggarai, and Dayak Kanayatn communities in Indonesia. In this study, it was shown that when communities place value on the services provided by an ecosystem, they are more likely to conserve forests, viewing them as sacred places that provide essential resources and services. Koech believes that if the youth were to understand and appreciate the importance of forests, they might be more motivated to protect them for future generations.
Koech’s concerns about the future of traditional knowledge are shared by many elders around the world. In a 2005 study, researchers Anthony A. Elujoba, Olukayode M. Odeleye, and C. M. Ogunyemi argued that traditional herbalism, “handed down from the times of our ancestors,” has seen little progress or development due to a combination of factors: colonial suppression, foreign religions, and a lack of political will to support indigenous practices. This neglect has compounded the challenges faced by practitioners like Koech, whose work is threatened not only by environmental degradation but also by a growing cultural shift that dismisses traditional medicine in favor of modern, Western healthcare.
Globally, the shift away from traditional practices, especially among younger generations, is a growing concern. With the allure of urban jobs, technology, and the globalized economy, traditional crafts like herbalism are increasingly seen as outdated, unscientific, or even unclean.
In some urban centers, youth have expressed doubts about the efficacy of herbal medicine, viewing it as ineffective or poorly regulated. A study among urban-based Ugandans found that many young people believe herbal products to be untrustworthy, seeing them as either ineffective or used by opportunistic healers to profit from ordinary plants. These attitudes are compounded by the lack of formal training in herbal medicine, with many practitioners like Koech relying on intuition, experience, and spiritual guidance rather than scientific tools.
Koech’s approach to healing reflects this combination of practical knowledge and spiritual insight. He often relies on dreams and spiritual revelations to guide his treatments, particularly for ailments that are unfamiliar to him. “When someone comes to me with a new ailment, I meditate and wait for a dream that will guide me on the right remedy,” Koech explains.
Despite the skepticism surrounding such practices, his reputation as a healer has grown over the years, with people coming to him from as far away as Rwanda and Mombasa. Koech attributes his success to a deep connection with both the natural and spiritual worlds, and the belief that the plants and trees he uses hold more than just physical healing properties—they carry wisdom, vitality and energy that can restore balance to a person’s life.
The diseases Koech treats are diverse, ranging from common ailments like headaches, stomach pains, and coughs, to more complex conditions such as infertility, malaria, hypertension, and diabetes.
He also specializes in treating skin conditions, heart problems, and even epilepsy. According to the WHO, it is estimated that about 80% of the population in developing countries like Kenya depend on traditional medicine for their Primary Health Care (PHC) needs. “Preference for herbal medications results from easy access, low cost, cultural acceptability, limited access to hospitals/biomedicines and a belief in its efficacy or reduced side-effects.”
Although traditional medicine and its practitioners were officially recognized by the Alma Ata Declaration in 1978 as important resources for achieving Health for All, and adopted by the member states including Kenya and WHO governing bodies, Koech’s case demonstrate that nothing much appears to be done at the grassroot level for the likes of Koech.
That notwithstanding, Koech’s approach is holistic, considering not only the physical symptoms of a person’s condition but also their emotional and spiritual wellbeing. It is this comprehensive view of health that distinguishes Koech from more conventional medical practitioners and underscores the importance of maintaining his connection to the natural world.
Despite his reliance on intuition and spiritual guidance, Koech acknowledges the value of modern tools like smartphones, which could help him document and share his knowledge more effectively. In a world where environmental degradation is threatening plant species, and where younger generations are increasingly disconnected from nature, Koech sees technology as a means of preserving his knowledge for future generations.
“I want to document the rare plants I use, so that even after I am gone, people will know what I used to heal them,” he says. His desire to capture images of these plants and share their medicinal uses is a clear example of how traditional knowledge can be integrated with modern technology to ensure its survival in an increasingly digital world.
Koech’s efforts to raise awareness about the importance of trees and herbalism are also evident in his active participation in the Community Forest Association and his collaboration with the Kenya Forest Service.
Through these initiatives, Koech has worked to protect the forest and its resources, while also educating local communities about the importance of sustainable practices.
Despite his efforts, however, one of his biggest challenges remains the lack of interest among the youth in preserving traditional knowledge and protecting the environment. The younger generation, driven by the allure of urban jobs and the perceived prestige of technology, has little interest in the forest and its healing plants.
Nevertheless, Koech remains hopeful. His recognition as a healer, the respect he receives from those whose lives he has touched, and his commitment to documenting his knowledge are all testimonies to the potential impact one individual can have. He continues to believe that, through awareness and education, it is possible to inspire a new generation to appreciate the value of traditional knowledge, the importance of conservation, and the irreplaceable role of the forest in human health and wellbeing.
Koech’s story highlights the need to bridge the gap between the old and the new, between traditional practices and modern tools. His work is a reminder that the preservation of indigenous knowledge is not only important for cultural heritage but also for the future of the planet.
As the world grapples with environmental degradation, climate change, and the loss of biodiversity, there is an urgent need to recognize the value of traditional wisdom in addressing these challenges. Koech’s journey offers hope that by integrating modern technology with traditional knowledge, we can find new ways to protect our planet and preserve the cultural practices that have sustained it for generations.
Koech’s story is one of resilience, dedication, and hope. It is a reminder that the survival of both the forest and the knowledge it carries depends on our ability to appreciate, preserve, and pass on the wisdom of those like Koech, who have spent their lives working in harmony with nature. It is through efforts like his that we may one day find a way to bridge the old and the new, ensuring that both the trees and the knowledge they hold continue to thrive for generations to come.
Kipkurui is a member of a community working with the Maendeleo Endelevu Programme (MEAP). MEAP is one of the partners of the African Biodiversity Network in Kenya, supporting communities in building resilience to the impacts of climate change.