Governor Nathif Jama Adam Calls for Strong County Ownership of Heritage-Based Enterprises

 His Excellency the Governor of Garissa County, Hon. Nathif Jama Adam, today joined fellow Governors, Deputy Governors, and key stakeholders at a Roundtable Consultative Meeting in Naivasha to deliberate on the Heritage-Based Enterprises agenda and preparations for the 1st International Investment Conference & Trade Fair on Indigenous Knowledge Intellectual Assets.

The meeting focused on strengthening policy, institutional, and investment frameworks to harness indigenous knowledge as a driver of sustainable economic development. Discussions highlighted the role of flagship initiatives such as the Natural Products Industry (NPI) Programme, implemented through the National Museums of Kenya, in translating community-owned traditional knowledge into protected, value-added, and market-ready products.

Governor Nathif emphasized the need for strong county ownership, enhanced intergovernmental collaboration, and a whole-of-government approach to unlock investment opportunities in indigenous products, strengthen local value chains, and ensure equitable benefit-sharing for communities.

“Counties must be at the centre of this agenda. Indigenous knowledge is a strategic economic asset, and with the right legal, institutional, and investment support, it can drive inclusive growth while safeguarding community rights,” he said.

He further underscored the critical importance of traditional knowledge, particularly in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties such as Garissa, noting that these regions possess rich and time-tested knowledge systems in areas including natural products, medicinal plants, livestock management, climate resilience, food systems, and cultural heritage.

“For ASAL counties, indigenous knowledge is not just heritage—it is livelihood, innovation, and resilience. Properly protected and commercialized, it can create jobs, attract investment, and transform local economies while preserving cultural identity,” Governor Nathif added.

As preparations continue for the inaugural International Investment Conference scheduled for April 2026 in Murang’a County, the Governor noted that the consultative meeting marked a critical step in positioning heritage-based enterprises as a pillar of industrialization, job creation, and inclusive economic growth, in alignment with Kenya Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BeTA).