Kenya in race to join India and China in adoption of traditional medicine

Kenya is in the race to join India and China in approving the use of herbal medicines that have for centuries been dispensed by traditional healers.

Patients might soon be prescribed traditional medicine in hospitals if a plan to integrate a number of medicinal plants gets the nod from regulatory agencies.

On Thursday, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) said its researchers have already identified 141 medicinal plants in parts of the country, which can be integrated into the health system and dispensed by pharmacists.

However, the move to embed traditional herbal medicines into Kenya’s health system is facing resistance from some traditional herbalists who are adamant to disclose herbs that have cured some diseases for fear of losing their intellectual properties.

KEMRI acting Director General Prof Elijah Songok said studies have shown that six of 141 traditional medicines treat some cancers.

With the identification of the traditional medicinal plants, the KEMRI DG said Kenya was making the first step in joining countries such as India, China, Korea and Vietnam, where local herbs have been incorporated into primary healthcare systems after proving to be effective in treating several ailments.

Prof Songok said KEMRI scientists who identified the 141 medicinal herbs after months of research will not disclose the names of the plants as part of the protection of the country’s intellectual properties.

The institute kicked off discussions with Elgeyo Marakwet County authorities in a bid to roll out planting of identified medicinal trees in farms.

“We are bringing traditional medicines into the mainstream healthcare system. We identified one critical disease that is cancer, and we have identified six candidate herbal medicines for treating cancer, ” Prof Songok said.

He added,” We are partnering with referral hospitals including the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) and Iten County Referral Hospital, among others.”

Songok said all 141 herbal medicines, including the cancer treatment candidate, were found in Elgeyo Marakwet.

“We are also in the process of signing an MoU with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) to grow the herbal plants in forests. The herbal plants will be processed into syrups, capsules, tablets and inhalers. It will be income-generating for farmers who will grow them. We anticipate a high time when manufacturing begins,” he stated.

Songok said the traditional medicine integration project had the backing of parliament, which he said had approved the allocation of seed funds.

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich said local farmers will benefit from growing medicinal plants.

“We are urging traditional medicine men and women to work with KEMRI by registering themselves and their herbal medicines so that research is done on them, and when approved, they become their intellectual property and start earning from their innovation,” Rotich said.

The Governor said most of the identified medicinal plants were common in many farms and forests in the county.

Traditional medicine practitioner Shadrack Moimmet said working with KEMRI and doctors in the research process is welcome, but should happen under formal engagement and contractual terms.

“We are ready to work with KEMRI, but there is mistrust between conventional doctors and us. We need a structured meeting with the government and Cabinet Secretaries of health and culture should be involved,” Moimmet said.

He went on to say: “We want to avoid scenarios where scientists use our knowledge to make money and dump us after attaining their goals.”

On October 30, 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised the growing role of traditional medicine globally and the need for evidence-based integration into health systems.

According to the WHO, a comprehensive process culminated in the adoption of the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 by the 78th World Health Assembly last year.

In February, the Ministry of Health said integration of traditional medicine into Kenya’s health system will be fully implemented by 2028.

Ghana and South Africa are also in the process of integrating traditional medicines into their health systems.