Kisii County may be the first to start a full-fledged traditional medicine college in Kenya.
The institution, to be known as the Kenya College of Traditional Medicine, has begun with a student population of fifty. Many of the students are traditional herbalists and they project to open branches in all neighbouring counties.
Prof William Obieru Gisesa, PhD. Ethno pharmacology, teaches in the newly started college and he is optimistic that the initiative will take off countrywide, after a bill which is already before Parliament is passed.
“We are glad to see traditional medication taking root despite many hurdles. Already, there is a Traditional Health Practitioners Bill 2014 before Parliament and we expect it to be passed by our legislators,” Gisesa said.
The Bill makes provision for the training, registration and licensing of traditional health practitioners to regulate their practice, to provide for establishment, powers and functions of traditional health practitioners council of Kenya for connected purposes.
The Bill was proposed by Health Committee chairperson, Rachel Nyamai, dated April 22, 2014.
Kisii County Herbalist Research Centre chairman Peter Nyaora, says that some of the ups and downs they are facing include financial problems, inadequate facilities amongst others.
The college offers certificate and diploma training levels which take six months and one year respectively.