Kenya’s Access and Benefit Sharing Toolkit for Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge

Genetic Resources (GR) are the bedrock of Kenya’s economy, particularly as the nation seeks to create wealth, sustain food security, and maintain a safe environment. This necessitates increased development of expertise, enhanced research, equitable and sustainable use of our genetic resources. But to succeed in this mission, many different stakeholders including lead agencies, academia, industry, government local communities and others must act in ways that maximize synergy and complimentarily to ensure sustainable use and development such that the benefits arising from the use of these genetic resources are shared equitably. Currently, the development, use and regulation of GR and/or associated traditional knowledge (TK) in Kenya is governed by the ABS Regulations, 2006. Despite the existence of this subsidiary law, Kenya lacks a standard Toolkit and protocols upon which the ABS Regulations on sharing of the benefits arising from the use of Kenyan GR. For this reason, the Authority in liaison with lead agencies has developed a toolkit. The toolkit will stimulate, development of, and support a national research agenda as well as strengthening adherence to Genetic resources access and benefit sharing Regulations in the country.